this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] victorz@lemmy.world 15 points 2 weeks 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 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks 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.

[–] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

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

[–] Digestive_Biscuit@feddit.uk 2 points 2 weeks 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 2 weeks ago

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

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Cool, thanks for that!

[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

better question, is a star required for EMR?

[–] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks 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.