HR 8210 or IK Pegasi is probably the most dangerous star in our stellar neighborhood. It is a narrow double made of a Delta Scuti star (A) and a very big white dwarf (B).

Their separation from each other is too big for an interchange of matter. But this will change as soon as the A-star starts to expand to become a red giant. Then it will nearly reach the orbit of the white dwarf and this will suck off the hull of the red one. Thereby the white dwarf will soon exceed the Chandrasekhar limit of 1.44 solar masses.

It is quite certain that HR 8210 will explode as a type Ia supernova some time in the future. Maybe in 10,000 years, but more likely in several million years. Hopefully it won’t be too soon and hopefully then the star will be much further away. Because an Ia supernova in a distance of 150 light-years could cause some serious problems for life on Earth.

They don’t shine for anybody.

The End of a Star

cordisre:

Monster Storm on Tiny Star: Extreme brightness changes observed on a nearby tiny brown dwarf star may indicate a storm grander than any yet seen on an alien world, scientists say.

Comparison of nearby stars.

spacettf:

Eta Geminorum by digital_drew on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This star system consists of a red giant and a smaller bluish companion as a somewhat close binary with a distant yellowish-white third member approximately 150 AU away.

(Source: notitle-noparty)

spacettf:

A Southern Perseid by lrargerich on Flickr.