Survey of 26000 white dwarfs reveals insights into stellar behavior

A study of over 26,000 white dwarf stars has confirmed that hotter white dwarfs are slightly puffier than cooler ones, even at the same mass. This finding supports theories about the behavior of these ultra-dense, dying stars. The research, led by Johns Hopkins University, enhances understanding of extreme gravity and could aid in the search for dark matter. Previous studies had shown that white dwarfs shrink as they gain mass, but this new data clarifies how temperature affects their size. The study utilized data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the European Space Agency's Gaia mission. Researchers aim to explore the chemical composition of white dwarf cores and improve knowledge of dark matter's influence on stellar structures.