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Astronomy/Isolated stars
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Question
Hi,
In science fiction stories, there is a common theme which involves events surrounding a random isolated star halfway between 2 galaxies. I was wondering if you know of any such isolated stars as I had thought that stars could only form within galaxies where insterstellar dust /gas etc. was plentiful enough? If so, could you please provide me with the name/designation-number of just one of those stars and give me its rough distance in light-years from neighbouring galaxies?
Thanks,
Geoff
Hello,
Actually, I'm not aware of any science fiction stories that have such a "common theme". Can you provide an example? (All the sci-fi novels, books I've read have their stars ensconced well inside galaxies!).
Alas, I'm not aware of any of these stellar outliers existing in intergalactic space.
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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