Unveiling the Enigmatic Population of Binary Stripped Stars, Key to Supernova Science

Scientists have identified a population of hydrogen-poor stars that are the progenitors of stripped-envelope supernovas. These stars, known as intermediate-mass helium stars, have been elusive to find due to their stripped outer material and the presence of a brighter companion star. However, a dedicated survey using ultraviolet light has successfully identified 25 of these stars, confirming their existence. The discovery has important implications for our understanding of supernovas, gravitational waves, and the light from distant galaxies. Further research is underway to study these stars in more detail and expand the search for more helium stars.