this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] victorz@lemmy.world 15 points 1 week ago (2 children)

So how come there's an aurora when there's no star to spray it with electromagnetic radiation?

[–] KingGimpicus@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Because the planet produces its own radiation. That much mass means this is less a "planet" and more of a proto star. It's actually large enough to fuse deuterium if the right conditions arise. Pour enough hydrogen in there to raise the mass three of four times what it has now and it'd be comparable to our sun.

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Cool, thanks for that!

[–] Digestive_Biscuit@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Would this be a star which wasn't big enough and fizzled out into a big planet?

[–] Tinidril@midwest.social 2 points 1 week ago

Every planet is a star which wasn't big enough. Some are just more challenged than others.

So it's like smoke or burning embers before a flame ignites?

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

better question, is a star required for EMR?

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Nah, that's a yes or no question, that's a worse question. I want to know what's causing the aurora, if not a star.