Questions concerning hypervelocity stars

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around hypervelocity stars, focusing on their average speeds, origins from the Magellanic Clouds, and hypothetical travel times to Earth. The context includes speculative scenarios for a science fiction narrative.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the average speed of hypervelocity stars, suggesting 1000 km/s but noting variability in sources.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the significance of whether the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) or Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is more likely to produce hypervelocity stars.
  • A participant calculates the travel time to Earth for a hypervelocity star based on the distances to the LMC and SMC, assuming a speed of 1000 km/s.
  • Some participants mention that hypervelocity stars are typically associated with events like supernovae or black hole interactions, but not exclusively from the galactic core.
  • There is a discussion about the feasibility of a hypervelocity star reaching Earth, with some participants questioning the assertion that it could never happen.
  • Another participant suggests that the improbability of such an event is often cited in discussions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the origins of hypervelocity stars and the likelihood of them reaching Earth. No consensus is reached regarding the average speed or the significance of the LMC versus SMC.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference varying sources for the speed of hypervelocity stars and the distances to the Magellanic Clouds, indicating potential limitations in the information available.

Travito
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Hey everybody, I'm new here and what better way to start then jump right in! I have a few questions concerning hypervelocity stars for a sci fi book that I want to write.

First of all, what is the agreed upon "average" speed of a hypervelocity star? I have done a bit of googling, but I have seen a lot of different numbers. Would 1000km/s be about right?

Secondly, I have read that some hypervelocity stars are thought to have originated in the Magellanic Clouds. Which one would be more likely to produce hypervelocity stars? The LMC or the SMC?

Thirdly and finally, given the speed and the distance of the LMC/SMC, how long would it take a hypervelocity star to reach Earth? I know this would never happen, but keep in mind it's just for a sci fi novel :P

Thank you all for your help and I look forward to being a member of these forums :) Merry Christmas!

Travito
 
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Travito said:
Which one would be more likely to produce hypervelocity stars? The LMC or the SMC?
Can't imagine it would make any difference.

Travito said:
Thirdly and finally, given the speed and the distance of the LMC/SMC, how long would it take a hypervelocity star to reach Earth?
You know the distance to LMC, and you know the velocity you've chosen, so it;s a pretty straightforward calc.
 
Why do you say it can never happen?
 
Travito said:
Hey everybody, I'm new here and what better way to start then jump right in! I have a few questions concerning hypervelocity stars for a sci fi book that I want to write.

First of all, what is the agreed upon "average" speed of a hypervelocity star? I have done a bit of googling, but I have seen a lot of different numbers. Would 1000km/s be about right?

Secondly, I have read that some hypervelocity stars are thought to have originated in the Magellanic Clouds. Which one would be more likely to produce hypervelocity stars? The LMC or the SMC?

Thirdly and finally, given the speed and the distance of the LMC/SMC, how long would it take a hypervelocity star to reach Earth? I know this would never happen, but keep in mind it's just for a sci fi novel :P

Thank you all for your help and I look forward to being a member of these forums :) Merry Christmas!

Travito

From what I have read hyper velocity stars have been flung out of the Galactic core. I guess they might be easier to see in the LMC/SMC. The Magellanic Clouds are about 168,000 (LMC) & 225,000 ly (SMC) away. At 1,000 km/s you're traveling at 300 years per light-year, thus it's 56,000,000 years & 75,000,000 years flight time respectively.
 
Most HVS are thought to have been hurled out from the galactic core-not all.
 
Hypervelocity stars can originate from any part of any galaxy. They are usually associated with supernova kicks. Some are also due to black hole slingshots. The ones that originate near galactic cores are typically easier to detect.
 
Radrook said:
Why do you say it can never happen?

What? I didn't say that; I said LMC is as likely as SMC. Doesn't make a diff which one you choose.
 
DaveC426913 said:
What? I didn't say that; I said LMC is as likely as SMC. Doesn't make a diff which one you choose.

Travito said that he knows a supervelocity star could never reach Earth and I asked why he thinks that's impossible.
 
Radrook said:
Travito said that he knows a supervelocity star could never reach Earth and I asked why he thinks that's impossible.

Oh. Well, that's why quoting is helpful. :wink:

I guess he was just heading off the standard responses saying 'this is so fabulously unlikely that it's not a realistic scenario'.
 
  • #10
DaveC426913 said:
Oh. Well, that's why quoting is helpful. :wink:

I guess he was just heading off the standard responses saying 'this is so fabulously unlikely that it's not a realistic scenario'.

It only becomes a realistic scenario when it happens.
 

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