How An Extreme New Star Could Change All Cosmology

The video explores the discovery of a peculiar white dwarf star, ZT FJ19O1+1458, which challenges existing theories about white dwarf formation. This star, discovered at the Zwicki Transient Facility, exhibits unusual properties such as rapid rotation and strong magnetic fields. Advanced observations suggest it may have formed from a white dwarf collision, raising questions about the nature of Type 1A supernovae and dark energy calculations. The video discusses the potential future of this star, including the possibility of it becoming a neutron star or exploding as a supernova.

What was the initial reaction of astronomers upon discovering ZT FJ19O1 +1458?

• A loud cheer of excitement

• A murmur of confusion

• A shout of anger

• A sigh of relief

What is unusual about the spin of ZT FJ19O1 +1458?

• It does not spin at all

• It spins in the opposite direction

• It spins once every 7 minutes

• It spins once every 24 hours

What did the spectroscopy reveal about ZT FJ19O1 +1458?

• It has a magnetic field similar to Earth's

• It has a strong magnetic field

• It has a weak magnetic field

• It has no magnetic field

How does the size of ZT FJ19O1 +1458 compare to other white dwarfs?

• It is larger than most white dwarfs

• It is twice the size of the Earth

• It is smaller than most white dwarfs

• It is the same size as most white dwarfs

What is a possible origin for ZT FJ19O1 +1458?

• A collision between a white dwarf and a black hole

• A collision between two neutron stars

• A collision between a white dwarf and a planet

• A collision between two white dwarfs

What could be the cosmological implication of white dwarf mergers?

• They might affect our understanding of dark energy

• They could explain the formation of galaxies

• They could lead to the discovery of new planets

• They might explain the Big Bang

What is the potential fate of ZT FJ19O1 +1458?

• It will remain unchanged forever

• It will turn into a planet

• It may explode as a supernova

• It will become a black hole

What is the density of ZT FJ19O1 +1458 compared to typical white dwarfs?

• It is 10 times denser

• It is less dense

• It is equally dense

• It is 1000 times denser

What process might lead ZT FJ19O1 +1458 to become a neutron star?

• Electron capture

• Proton decay

• Photon absorption

• Neutron emission

What does the study of ZT FJ19O1 +1458 suggest about the universe?

• The universe is less complex than we believed

• The universe is stranger than we imagined

• The universe is more predictable than expected

• The universe is exactly as we thought