NASA's WISE Catches Aging Star Erupting With Dust

04.26.12 – PASADENA, Calif. — Images from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) reveal an old star in the throes of a fiery outburst, spraying the cosmos with dust. The findings offer a rare, real-time look at the process by which stars like our sun seed the universe with building blocks for other stars, planets and even life.

The star, catalogued as WISE J180956.27-330500.2, was discovered in images taken during the WISE survey in 2010, the most detailed infrared survey to date of the entire celestial sky. It stood out from other objects because it glowed brightly with infrared light. When compared to images taken more than 20 years ago, astronomers found the star was 100 times brighter.

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The mission of the Explorers Program is to provide frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space utilizing innovative, streamlined and efficient management approaches within the heliophysics and astrophysics science areas.

The program seeks to enhance public awareness of, and appreciation for, space science and to incorporate educational and public outreach activities as integral parts of space science investigations.

Explorers Missions Status

Astro-H
Launch Date: Febuary 15, 2014
Phase C/D: Design & Development
GEMS
Launch Date: November 2014
Phase B: Definition
IRIS
Launch Date: December 01, 2012
Phase C/D: Design & Development
NuSTAR
NET Launch Date: June 13, 2012
Phase C/D: Design & Development
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