Citizen Scientists Discover Rare Exploding Star GOTO0650: A Breakthrough in Astronomy

July 12, 2025
Citizen Scientists Discover Rare Exploding Star GOTO0650: A Breakthrough in Astronomy

In a remarkable achievement at the intersection of amateur astronomy and professional research, citizen scientists have played a pivotal role in the identification of GOTO0650, a rare type of cataclysmic variable star. This groundbreaking discovery, officially detailed in a research paper published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics on July 4, 2025, marks a significant advancement in our understanding of stellar phenomena and highlights the increasingly important role that public participation plays in modern astronomical research.

The discovery of GOTO0650 occurred through the Kilonova Seekers project, which engaged volunteers in a cosmic "spot the difference" challenge, urging them to monitor changes in the night sky. This citizen science initiative allowed participants to identify notable stellar events, leading to the flagging of GOTO0650 after an unprecedented increase in brightness—approximately 2,500 times greater than its previous luminosity. The swift identification enabled professional astronomers to classify the object as a cataclysmic variable star currently in its "period bouncer" phase, a critical stage characterized by the separation of the binary stars due to mass loss from the donor star.

Tom Killestein, a researcher at the University of Warwick and co-leader of the Kilonova Seekers project, emphasized the crucial role of volunteers in this discovery: "Without the Kilonova Seekers volunteers flagging this object, rapid follow-up would not have been possible, and this object may have been missed entirely. Their dedication and precision were instrumental."

The role of citizen scientists in this discovery underscores the evolving landscape of astrophysics, where contributions from the public can lead to significant scientific breakthroughs. The collaborative efforts of volunteers allowed for prompt follow-up observations from major observatories, such as NASA's Swift satellite and the Einstein Probe, as well as contributions from amateur astronomers using personal telescopes. This rapid response facilitated the collection of valuable data that enhances our understanding of cataclysmic variable stars and their explosive endings.

In addition to the initial outburst, GOTO0650 garnered further attention with additional flares detected on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, known as "echo outbursts." These events provided further insight into the behavior of this unique stellar system and enriched the ongoing research into the dynamics of cataclysmic variable stars. Svetoslav Alexandrov, a volunteer with Kilonova Seekers, expressed his excitement upon realizing his contributions: "I literally screamed with joy when I saw that I was going to be a co-author of the research paper. Even from your bed or on the street with your cell phone, there is the possibility of making a very important discovery."

The discovery of GOTO0650 also enhances our understanding of the broader category of cataclysmic variable stars, binary systems where a white dwarf star accretes material from a companion star, leading to periodic outbursts. These phenomena occur as the material forms an accretion disk around the white dwarf and eventually ignites a nuclear explosion, resulting in the star’s destruction. The behavior of stars in their "period bouncer" phase is of particular interest to astronomers, as it may reveal new insights into the life cycles of these systems.

The involvement of citizen scientists in the discovery of GOTO0650 exemplifies the power of crowdsourced science, where individuals from diverse backgrounds can contribute to significant advancements in our understanding of the cosmos. As the scientific community increasingly embraces public participation, the potential for further discoveries in astrophysics and beyond appears promising. Future studies of GOTO0650 and similar cataclysmic variable stars will undoubtedly benefit from the wealth of data collected by both professional and amateur astronomers, paving the way for new insights into the life and death of stars in our universe.

Advertisement

Fake Ad Placeholder (Ad slot: YYYYYYYYYY)

Tags

GOTO0650citizen sciencecataclysmic variable starsstellar phenomenaKilonova SeekersTom KillesteinUniversity of WarwickAstronomy & Astrophysicsamateur astronomyprofessional researchecho outburstsstellar evolutionwhite dwarf staraccretion disknuclear explosionastronomical observationsNASA SwiftEinstein Probestellar systemscrowdsourced scienceSvetoslav Alexandrovpublic participationspace observatoriescosmic discoverybrightness increasebinary starsluminositystellar classificationastronomical researchpublic engagement

Advertisement

Fake Ad Placeholder (Ad slot: ZZZZZZZZZZ)