Mass Exodus: Massive Stars Abandon Milky Way Galaxy

Dozens of enormous stars are defying the cosmic synchrony of the Milky Way galaxy and hurtling into intergalactic space, according to a study utilizing data from the Gaia spacecraft. The research identified 106 O-type and 69 Be-type runaway stars, with an estimated total of ten million stars fleeing the galaxy. The two prevailing theories for their escape are the dynamical ejection scenario (DES) and the binary supernova scenario (BSS), with the study leaning towards DES. Understanding the mechanisms behind these runaway stars provides insights into star formation, the evolution of stars, and the architecture of the Milky Way.