Astronomers have identified a unique white dwarf star exhibiting an unusual green hue, a phenomenon they attribute to the star consuming rocky debris from deceased planets. The object, designated WD J1330+6435, is located approximately 280 light-years away within the constellation Draco.

The research team, led by astrophysicist Mark Hollands from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, described the discovery as unprecedented. According to Hollands, the star’s distinctive coloration results from elements absorbed into its atmosphere—specifically sodium—that alter its emitted light. Unlike most white dwarfs, which display colors primarily determined by their temperature and behave as “perfect radiators,” this star’s sodium-rich atmosphere absorbs orange wavelengths, creating what Hollands termed a “ghostly green glow.”

White dwarfs are the dense remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel and shed their outer layers during the red giant phase. Devoid of ongoing nuclear fusion, they often attract and consume surrounding planetary material, including planets, asteroids, and other debris, drawn by their strong gravitational fields. This process has led scientists to nickname these stars “zombie” stars, as they continue to exhibit signs of activity despite having essentially reached the end of their stellar life cycle.

The discovery of WD J1330+6435 marks the first documented case of a green-tinged white dwarf, expanding the understanding of how these dense stellar remnants can interact with their environments and how their compositions influence their observable properties. This finding suggests that the physical characteristics of white dwarfs may be more diverse than previously thought, with elemental absorption playing a significant role in the coloration of some stars.

The observation provides new insights into the lifecycle of stars and their planetary systems, highlighting how stellar remnants continue to impact and recycle material long after their active phases have concluded.