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White dwarf’s inner makeup is mapped for the first time

The stellar corpse is richer in oxygen than expected, challenging long-standing theories about stellar evolution

illustration of inner structure of a white dwarf

WHAT LIES WITHIN  The inner structure of a white dwarf star (shown in this artist’s impression) has been mapped for the first time — and it’s more oxygen-rich than expected.

Stéphane Charpinet

By Lisa Grossman

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