Wayward Stars: Has Ejection Ever Been Observed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of star ejection, particularly in the context of high-velocity stars and their potential fates when influenced by galactic interactions, such as collisions between galaxies. Participants explore theoretical scenarios and implications of stars being ejected from their host galaxies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether stars can be ejected from galaxies, particularly those on the fringes or during galactic collisions.
  • Another participant suggests that stars can indeed be ejected, primarily through gravitational slingshot effects near super-massive bodies or due to tidal forces.
  • Concerns are raised about the fate of ejected stars, with one participant expressing empathy for stars that may drift alone in empty space.
  • It is noted that the outcome for an ejected star may depend on its ejection speed; high speeds could lead to a solitary existence, while lower speeds might allow for eventual return to the galaxy.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that a star could potentially be captured by an approaching galaxy or become part of satellite galaxies like the Magellanic Clouds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the mechanisms and outcomes of star ejection, with no consensus reached on the specifics of what happens to ejected stars or the conditions that influence their trajectories.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the gravitational dynamics involved in star ejection and the potential for stars to be influenced by nearby galaxies, but these dynamics are not fully resolved or quantified.

NelsonsXanadu
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hey everyone, I have one question. Has it ever been heard of, for a star moving at higher velocities, to be 'ejected'?. Especially if its on the fringes of the galaxy? Or if two galaxies where to collide, wouldn't it be plausible, for stars and be swept away into empy space outside of any galaxy? What would happen to such a wayward star?
 
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Stars can be ejected from our galaxy. Probably the most common method is "gravitational slingshot" through interaction with super-massive body(ies) near the core of the MW. Stars can also be stripped out of a galaxy due to tidal forces.
 
That seems so sad...what would happen to the poor star? Been doomed to float through empty space for its life?
 
Depends on the ejection speed. If that speed is well in excess of what is necessary to escape the gravitational influence of the galaxy, it may well spend its lifetime mostly alone. If the speed is marginal, it may slowly loop back to the host galaxy and establish an orbit that let's it plunge in and out of the galaxy for a long time. Its orbit might decay (through gravitational influence of the galaxy) such that it could become bound to the galaxy once again.
 
NelsonsXanadu said:
That seems so sad...what would happen to the poor star? Been doomed to float through empty space for its life?

That would depend on its trajectory. If the star is long lived one and the speed of an approaching galaxy such as Andromeda is added to its own then it might be adopted. It could also become part of one of our globular clusters or Magellanic clouds which are considered satellite galaxies.
 

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