At the heart of the Milky Way are 10 strange dead stars, scientists say. Also known as "neutron stars", these weird bodies are also spinning, which means they are pulsars. Scientists say that this extremely odd globular cluster is located 18,000 light-years from Earth and might take on weird forms as a result of being extremely dense. These include "spider pulsars" that can cast plasma webs and destroy stars. There is also a speed demon vampire star that is eating up other stars in the vicinity.&nbsp;

These pulsars have been uncovered in the globular cluster Terzan 5 where hundreds of thousands of different stars that are 12 billion to 4.5 billion years old can be found. Terzan 5 is one of the most crowded regions in the Milky Way, with at least 39 known pulsars already swarming it.&nbsp;

"It's very unusual to find exotic new pulsars," Scott Ransom, a scientist with the US National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) said in a statement. "But what’s really exciting is the wide variety of such weirdos in a single cluster."

Using the Green Bank Telescope and the MeerKAT Telescope, Ransom and the other scientists tracked the location of the neutron stars and the timing of their rotations. Two of these neutron stars are part of a rare double neutron-star binary. To put the rarity in context, around 3,600 pulsars have been discovered in the Milky Way till now of which only 20 have been double neutron-star binaries.&nbsp;

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<h2>Cosmic vampire and spider pulsars&nbsp;</h2>

When the above phenomenon happens, one of the neutron stars starts behaving like a vampire, pulling material from the other. This matter makes the neutron star spin faster triggering the formation of a "millisecond pulsar" which can spin hundreds of times per second. The latest pair appears to spin faster than 716 rotations per second, likely setting a new record.&nbsp;

Three new rare spider pulsars have also been seen in the region. Classified as "Redbacks" or "Black Widows," they cast a high-energy radiation"web" on stars that come too close. Redback spider pulsars are those that prey on companion stars with masses between 10 per cent and 50 per cent of the Sun's mass. Meanwhile, Black Widow spider pulsars are those that prey on smaller stars with less than five&nbsp;per cent of the Sun's mass.&nbsp;

At the heart of the Milky Way are 10 strange dead stars, scientists say. Also known as "neutron stars", these weird bodies are also spinning, which means they are pulsars.

At the heart of the Milky Way are 10 strange dead stars, scientists say. Also known as "neutron stars", these weird bodies are also spinning, which means they are pulsars. Scientists say that this extremely odd globular cluster is located 18,000 light-years from Earth and might take on weird forms as a result of being extremely dense. These include "spider pulsars" that can cast plasma webs and destroy stars. There is also a speed demon vampire star that is eating up other stars in the vicinity. These pulsars have been uncovered in the globular cluster Terzan 5 where hundreds of thousands of different stars that are 12 billion to 4.5 billion years old can be found. Terzan 5 is one of the most crowded regions in the Milky Way, with at least 39 known pulsars already swarming it. "It's very unusual to find exotic new pulsars," Scott Ransom, a scientist with the US National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) said in a statement. "But what’s really exciting is the wide variety of such weirdos in a single cluster." Using the Green Bank Telescope and the MeerKAT Telescope, Ransom and the other scientists tracked the location of the neutron stars and the timing of their rotations. Two of these neutron stars are part of a rare double neutron-star binary. To put the rarity in context, around 3,600 pulsars have been discovered in the Milky Way till now of which only 20 have been double neutron-star binaries. Also Read: NASA warns 3 asteroids hurtling towards Earth will come closest on THIS day Cosmic vampire and spider pulsars When the above phenomenon happens, one of the neutron stars starts behaving like a vampire, pulling material from the other. This matter makes the neutron star spin faster triggering the formation of a "millisecond pulsar" which can spin hundreds of times per second. The latest pair appears to spin faster than 716 rotations per second, likely setting a new record. Three new rare spider pulsars have also been seen in the region. Classified as "Redbacks" or "Black Widows," they cast a high-energy radiation"web" on stars that come too close. Redback spider pulsars are those that prey on companion stars with masses between 10 per cent and 50 per cent of the Sun's mass. Meanwhile, Black Widow spider pulsars are those that prey on smaller stars with less than five per cent of the Sun's mass.

Demon vampire star and spider pulsars among 10 dead stars discovered at heart of Milky Way

A new study has placed the focus on the watery planets which have been orbiting dead stars for&nbsp;a long time.&nbsp; According to the study, these white dwarfs - which are remnants of stars that have run out of fuel - may be the best place where life is being harboured due to the presence of water.

The study suggests that scientists should spot the shadow of a planet against a former star which has withered in size but has its water oceans for billions of years even after facing all violent final throes.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nearly-a-trillion-earth-like-planets-exist-in-universe-nasa-on-hunt-to-find-if-we-are-not-alone-731671">Are we alone in the cosmos? NASA chief says a trillion Earth-like planets are out there</a>

Explaining the characteristics of the white dwarfs, the study's lead author and the University of Wisconsin–Madison astronomy professor Juliette Becker said, "White dwarfs are so small and so featureless, that if a terrestrial planet transited in front of them, you could actually do a much better job of characterizing its atmosphere."

"The planet's atmosphere would have a much larger, clearer signal because a larger fraction of the light you're seeing is passing through exactly what you want to study," he added.

<h2>Watery planets need to survive to host alien lives!</h2>

But for hosting any lives, such a planet needs to first survive the last days of a small- to medium-sized star, which is likely to be rough.

When the fuel of stars like our Sun is finished, it starts a fusion reaction at its core and they start to bulge enormously.

"There are two pulses, basically, during which the star grows to 100 times its normal radius. While it does that—we can call this part Destruction Phase No. 1—it will engulf any planets that are within that radius," said Becker.

If a water-harbouring planet escapes getting swallowed by its star, it has to then survive the loss of its mass and an increase in its brightness.

"The fact that the star gets so much brighter means that all planets in the system, even ones that used to be cold in the outer solar system, will suddenly have their surface temperatures increase drastically," said Becker. "That can evaporate their oceans and cost them a lot of water," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;Earth's inner core rotation slowing down; deceleration of core confirmed: study

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/earths-inner-core-rotation-slowing-down-deceleration-of-core-confirmed-study-731617/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A perfect Earth-like planet will likely be present at least roughly 5 to 6 astronomical units away from its dying star for retaining an appreciable amount of water, as per the study

After a billion or more years, the planet's once-rampaging star is likely to shrink and cool. "If you can be sufficiently far away during this dangerous time that you don't lose your surface water, that's good," said Becker.&nbsp;

"But the downside is you're going to be so far away from the star that all the water is going to be ice, and that's not great for life," he added.&nbsp;

"If we find a lot of&nbsp;white dwarfs&nbsp;that are good candidates to host potentially habitable exoplanets, they could be worth the time. And these theoretical techniques will help us separate the best targets, so we don't spend too much time on the uninteresting ones," explained the author.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study has placed the focus on the watery planets which have been orbiting dead stars for a long time. According to the study, these white dwarfs - which are remnants of stars that have run out of fuel - may be the best place where life is being harboured due to the presence of water.

A new study has placed the focus on the watery planets which have been orbiting dead stars for a long time. According to the study, these white dwarfs - which are remnants of stars that have run out of fuel - may be the best place where life is being harboured due to the presence of water. The study suggests that scientists should spot the shadow of a planet against a former star which has withered in size but has its water oceans for billions of years even after facing all violent final throes. Also Read: Are we alone in the cosmos? NASA chief says a trillion Earth-like planets are out there Explaining the characteristics of the white dwarfs, the study's lead author and the University of Wisconsin–Madison astronomy professor Juliette Becker said, "White dwarfs are so small and so featureless, that if a terrestrial planet transited in front of them, you could actually do a much better job of characterizing its atmosphere." "The planet's atmosphere would have a much larger, clearer signal because a larger fraction of the light you're seeing is passing through exactly what you want to study," he added. Watery planets need to survive to host alien lives! But for hosting any lives, such a planet needs to first survive the last days of a small- to medium-sized star, which is likely to be rough. When the fuel of stars like our Sun is finished, it starts a fusion reaction at its core and they start to bulge enormously. "There are two pulses, basically, during which the star grows to 100 times its normal radius. While it does that—we can call this part Destruction Phase No. 1—it will engulf any planets that are within that radius," said Becker. If a water-harbouring planet escapes getting swallowed by its star, it has to then survive the loss of its mass and an increase in its brightness. "The fact that the star gets so much brighter means that all planets in the system, even ones that used to be cold in the outer solar system, will suddenly have their surface temperatures increase drastically," said Becker. "That can evaporate their oceans and cost them a lot of water," he added. Watch: Earth's inner core rotation slowing down; deceleration of core confirmed: study A perfect Earth-like planet will likely be present at least roughly 5 to 6 astronomical units away from its dying star for retaining an appreciable amount of water, as per the study After a billion or more years, the planet's once-rampaging star is likely to shrink and cool. "If you can be sufficiently far away during this dangerous time that you don't lose your surface water, that's good," said Becker. "But the downside is you're going to be so far away from the star that all the water is going to be ice, and that's not great for life," he added. "If we find a lot of white dwarfs that are good candidates to host potentially habitable exoplanets, they could be worth the time. And these theoretical techniques will help us separate the best targets, so we don't spend too much time on the uninteresting ones," explained the author. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists say watery planets orbiting dead stars may be hosting alien life

NASA’s X-ray telescopes recently observed “glitches” in a highly magnetic neutron star, or magnetar near the heart of the Milky Way. These glitches were so powerful that they accelerated the star’s spin speed and also helped slow down the neutron star (almost a dead star), which can be game-changing in understanding what goes inside a star.&nbsp;

Understanding what goes on within a magnetar may finally unveil how these strange bodies launch as Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), say scientists.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/blast-of-radio-waves-travelling-eight-billion-years-to-reach-earth-hints-at-signs-of-alien-life-scientists-692338">Radio waves that took 8 billion years to reach Earth hint at signs of alien life: Expert</a>

FRBs are enigmatic bursts of light that can momentarily surpass the brightness of an entire galaxy. While scientists acknowledge the existence of these intense pulses, the exact reason behind their occurrence remains unknown.

Tracing and identifying the source of FRBs has posed a significant challenge due to their momentary nature. Until recently, all traced FRBs were found to originate from beyond our galaxy, complicating efforts to determine their origins.

<h2>Recent observations might help in understanding the origin of FRBs</h2>

In the recent discovery, the research team focused on studying SGR 1935+2154 (SGR 1935), which is considered the most active magnetar in our galaxy in the past decade.&nbsp;

Located approximately 30,000 light-years away from Earth, SGR 1935 was examined using both the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) instrument aboard the International Space Station and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) space telescope.&nbsp;

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Utilising these instruments, the team identified two significant glitches associated with the magnetar, occurring approximately nine hours apart.

To put things into context, the interior of a magnetar is so dense that a teaspoon of its material would weigh about a billion tons on Earth!&nbsp;

Right in the middle of the two glitches, SGR 1935 emitted an FRB. Following both instances of increased rotation speed, the neutron star somehow returned to its usual rotation rate, prompting the team to find an explanation for it.

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The research team suggests that the magnetar SGR 1935 returning to its normal speed is due to a brief but powerful wind originating from the star's magnetosphere. This wind carries away angular momentum, rapidly decelerating the star's rotation.

They propose that the same mechanism responsible for this wind also enhances the magnetar's X-ray emissions, potentially creating the magnetic conditions necessary for generating FRBs.

The groundbreaking study was published in the February 14 issue of the journal Nature.&nbsp;

Despite the valuable insights gained from recent observations on FRBs, there are still many unanswered questions. The complex interactions leading to the creation of FRBs remain a subject of intense research.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA’s X-ray telescopes recently observed “glitches” in a highly magnetic neutron star, or magnetar near the heart of the Milky Way. These glitches were so powerful that they accelerated the star’s spin speed and also helped slow down the neutron star (almost a dead star), which can be game-changing in understanding what goes inside a star.

NASA’s X-ray telescopes recently observed “glitches” in a highly magnetic neutron star, or magnetar near the heart of the Milky Way. These glitches were so powerful that they accelerated the star’s spin speed and also helped slow down the neutron star (almost a dead star), which can be game-changing in understanding what goes inside a star. Understanding what goes on within a magnetar may finally unveil how these strange bodies launch as Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), say scientists. Also Read | Radio waves that took 8 billion years to reach Earth hint at signs of alien life: Expert FRBs are enigmatic bursts of light that can momentarily surpass the brightness of an entire galaxy. While scientists acknowledge the existence of these intense pulses, the exact reason behind their occurrence remains unknown. Tracing and identifying the source of FRBs has posed a significant challenge due to their momentary nature. Until recently, all traced FRBs were found to originate from beyond our galaxy, complicating efforts to determine their origins. Recent observations might help in understanding the origin of FRBs In the recent discovery, the research team focused on studying SGR 1935+2154 (SGR 1935), which is considered the most active magnetar in our galaxy in the past decade. Located approximately 30,000 light-years away from Earth, SGR 1935 was examined using both the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) instrument aboard the International Space Station and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) space telescope. Also Read | Can ADHD traits actually have evolutionary benefits? New study reveals groundbreaking data Utilising these instruments, the team identified two significant glitches associated with the magnetar, occurring approximately nine hours apart. To put things into context, the interior of a magnetar is so dense that a teaspoon of its material would weigh about a billion tons on Earth! Right in the middle of the two glitches, SGR 1935 emitted an FRB. Following both instances of increased rotation speed, the neutron star somehow returned to its usual rotation rate, prompting the team to find an explanation for it. Also Read | Has anaconda been dethroned as largest snake? Check deets The research team suggests that the magnetar SGR 1935 returning to its normal speed is due to a brief but powerful wind originating from the star's magnetosphere. This wind carries away angular momentum, rapidly decelerating the star's rotation. They propose that the same mechanism responsible for this wind also enhances the magnetar's X-ray emissions, potentially creating the magnetic conditions necessary for generating FRBs. The groundbreaking study was published in the February 14 issue of the journal Nature. Despite the valuable insights gained from recent observations on FRBs, there are still many unanswered questions. The complex interactions leading to the creation of FRBs remain a subject of intense research. (With inputs from agencies)

'Glitches' from dead star could reveal origin of mysterious deep space signals: Study

In a rare breakthrough, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected two exoplanets orbiting two different dead stars or "white dwarfs." 
 
The exoplanets detected, not only resembled the gas giants - Jupiter and Saturn - present in our solar system but the white dwarfs also hinted at the destiny of the sun. 
 
After the sun is changed into a white dwarf, it is expected to destroy the inner solar system planets — till Jupiter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-spots-a-system-of-six-exoplanets-with-hyperactive-star-similar-to-our-solar-system-686260">NASA spots a system of six 'sub-Neptunes' with hyperactive 'toddler' star</a>

Speaking to Space.com, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science and lead author of the research Susan Mullaly said, "Very few planets have been discovered around white dwarf stars. What is extraordinary about these two candidate planets is that they are more similar to planets in our outer solar system in temperature, age, mass and orbital separation than any planets previously found." 
 
"This offers our first chance to see what a planetary system looks like after its star dies," Mullaly said.

<h2 lang="en-US">Here's what JWST's snapshots tell us about our future</h2>

The JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) directly observed the planet candidates as they orbited around the white dwarfs WD 1202-232 and WD 2105-82. 
 
One exoplanet was orbiting around a white dwarf which is equal to 11.5 times the distance between the sun and the Earth. 
 
The other exoplanet, meanwhile, was at a distance of about 34.5 times the distance between the sun and the Earth from its dead stellar parent. 
 
It is well-known that when the sun's fuel supply for carrying out the nuclear fusion processes that occur at its core is exhausted in around 5 billion years, the planet will swell up as a red giant. 
 
However, the nuclear fusion will continue in its outer layers. When the sun dies, its outer layers will swallow Mercury, Venus, Earth, and possibly, Mars.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | New Study reveals why the Moon is shrinking&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-study-reveals-why-the-moon-is-shrinking-686119/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The outer layers will eventually cool and leave a smouldering stellar core, which is now a white dwarf and this will be surrounded by a planetary nebula of exhausted stellar matter. 
 
However, these exoplanet detections hint at what can happen to planets beyond Mars, which are Jupiter, Saturn and others, when the sun dies. 
 
"Our sun is expected to turn into a white dwarf star in 5 billion years," said Mullaly. 
 
"We expect planets to drift outward, into wider orbits, after a star dies. So, if you wind back the clock on these candidate planets, you would expect these to have had orbital separations similar to Jupiter and Saturn," she added. 
 
"If we are able to confirm these planets, they will provide direct evidence that planets like Jupiter and Saturn can survive the death of their host star," Mullaly said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a rare breakthrough, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected two exoplanets orbiting two different dead stars or "white dwarfs." The exoplanets detected, not only resembled the gas giants - Jupiter and Saturn - present in our solar system but the white dwarfs also hinted at the destiny of the sun.

In a rare breakthrough, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected two exoplanets orbiting two different dead stars or "white dwarfs." The exoplanets detected, not only resembled the gas giants - Jupiter and Saturn - present in our solar system but the white dwarfs also hinted at the destiny of the sun. After the sun is changed into a white dwarf, it is expected to destroy the inner solar system planets — till Jupiter. Also read: NASA spots a system of six 'sub-Neptunes' with hyperactive 'toddler' star Speaking to Space.com, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science and lead author of the research Susan Mullaly said, "Very few planets have been discovered around white dwarf stars. What is extraordinary about these two candidate planets is that they are more similar to planets in our outer solar system in temperature, age, mass and orbital separation than any planets previously found." "This offers our first chance to see what a planetary system looks like after its star dies," Mullaly said. Here's what JWST's snapshots tell us about our future The JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) directly observed the planet candidates as they orbited around the white dwarfs WD 1202-232 and WD 2105-82. One exoplanet was orbiting around a white dwarf which is equal to 11.5 times the distance between the sun and the Earth. The other exoplanet, meanwhile, was at a distance of about 34.5 times the distance between the sun and the Earth from its dead stellar parent. It is well-known that when the sun's fuel supply for carrying out the nuclear fusion processes that occur at its core is exhausted in around 5 billion years, the planet will swell up as a red giant. However, the nuclear fusion will continue in its outer layers. When the sun dies, its outer layers will swallow Mercury, Venus, Earth, and possibly, Mars. Watch: Gravitas | New Study reveals why the Moon is shrinking The outer layers will eventually cool and leave a smouldering stellar core, which is now a white dwarf and this will be surrounded by a planetary nebula of exhausted stellar matter. However, these exoplanet detections hint at what can happen to planets beyond Mars, which are Jupiter, Saturn and others, when the sun dies. "Our sun is expected to turn into a white dwarf star in 5 billion years," said Mullaly. "We expect planets to drift outward, into wider orbits, after a star dies. So, if you wind back the clock on these candidate planets, you would expect these to have had orbital separations similar to Jupiter and Saturn," she added. "If we are able to confirm these planets, they will provide direct evidence that planets like Jupiter and Saturn can survive the death of their host star," Mullaly said. (With inputs from agencies)

James Webb detects exoplanets orbiting dead stars. This hints after Sun's death our solar system will...

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