SCIENCE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
NASA Discovers First Green Star, WD J1330+6435
WHY IT MATTERS
The discovery of a green star highlights the complex and dynamic nature of white dwarf stars, which can exhibit a range of colors due to the interaction of accreted materials with their atmospheres.
What happened
Astronomers have identified a white dwarf star, WD J1330+6435, that would appear green due to the interaction of trace elements with its stellar atmosphere. This phenomenon is a result of accreted gas and rocks orbiting the star. The star's color is not a reflection of its temperature, unlike other stars that appear red or blue.
The discovery was made by NASA and its partners, who found that some white dwarf stars can appear in various colors, including yellow, cyan, pink, or purple. However, these stars are too faint to be seen from Earth.
The featured image is an illustration of WD J1330+6435, showcasing the star surrounded by its accretion disk. This finding expands our understanding of the properties of white dwarf stars and the effects of accretion on their appearance.
PRIMARY SOURCES
APOD: 2026 October 22 – The First Green Star, WD J1330+6435
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