White dwarf discovered emitting a faint green light due to elements in its atmosphere

Researchers have discovered a white dwarf star named "WDJ1330+6435," located approximately 65 light-years from Earth, which emits a faint green color due to elements in its atmosphere.

Mark Hollands, an astrophysicist at the University of Warwick and lead author of the study, stated that the color of most stars changes depending on temperature and remains in limited tones such as orange, white, or blue. Hollands noted that white dwarfs, which are dense stellar remnants left behind after Sun-like stars complete their lifespans, can shine in various colors.

Conveying that white dwarf stars can take on different colors over time as a result of interactions with helium gas and other chemical elements in their atmosphere, Hollands stated that the presence of elements like iron, magnesium, and sodium—commonly found in rocks—on the surfaces of stars could indicate the past existence of a planetary system around these stars.

Examining 151 known white dwarf stars located approximately 65 light-years from Earth, Hollands stated that for a white dwarf to appear green, calcium, sodium, and lithium elements must be present on its surface. It was noted that the white dwarf star named WDJ1330+6435, examined in the study, contains sodium-rich rocky material in its atmosphere, and because this element absorbs light at yellow, orange, and red wavelengths, the star's color turns into a faint green.