Unveiling the Hidden Evolutionary Phase: Light Supergiant Sheds Light

Researchers have discovered the first "stripped" star of intermediate-mass, filling a missing link in our understanding of stellar evolution. These stripped stars, which have lost most of their outer layers, are crucial for understanding the origin of heavy elements. The discovery was made by studying a binary system consisting of an intermediate-mass stripped star and a fast rotating companion. The system is located in a metal-poor galaxy, providing insights into the chemical evolution of the universe. The findings suggest that these stripped stars may retain a small amount of hydrogen, making them appear larger and cooler than expected. The discovery sheds light on the formation of double neutron star merger events, which are important for understanding the origin of elements like silver and gold.