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Citizen scientists working with NASA’s Backyard Worlds project discovered a fast-moving object escaping the Milky Way galaxy.
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The object, named CWISE J1249, is moving at approximately 1 million miles per hour and has a mass similar to or less than a small star.
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Scientists propose two possible scenarios for its speed: supernova ejection or a close encounter with a black hole binary.
A team of citizen scientists working with NASA’s Backyard Worlds project made an exciting discovery – a faint, fast-moving object escaping the Milky Way galaxy. This object, named CWISE J1249, is unique and has a mass similar to or less than a small star. It’s moving at an incredible speed of approximately 1 million miles per hour.
The discovery was made possible by the combined efforts of citizen scientists and professional astronomers. The object was initially spotted by volunteers examining images from NASA’s WISE mission. Follow-up observations using ground-based telescopes confirmed its existence and unique characteristics.
Scientists are eager to learn more about CWISE J1249’s origins and the forces that propelled it into intergalactic space. Further analysis of its elemental composition will provide valuable insights. This discovery highlights the power of citizen science and the important role that passionate volunteers play in advancing our understanding of the universe.
