Could a star have its own heartbeat? It may sound poetic, but for R Leonis, a red giant star, the answer is yes. This star has been under observation for over two centuries. R Leonis belongs to a class called Mira variables, which are aging stars that pulsate. They expand and contract, transitioning between bright and dim, much like a heart beating. Amateur astronomers and scientists alike have enjoyed watching its rhythmic dance in the constellation Leo.
Recently, a deep dive into 200 years of data has revealed something surprising: R Leonis is starting to beat faster. In a study set to be published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, researcher Mike Goldsmith analyzed records from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). His findings show a change in the star’s pulsation.
Typically, R Leonis follows a steady timing from bright to dim. However, it’s now taken about three days less to complete this cycle than in the early 1800s. While three days might seem small, it signals a significant shift in the star’s behavior. It’s like when a person’s resting heart rate suddenly increases without explanation.
So, why is this important? Goldsmith suggests we’re observing real-time evolution in R Leonis. This Mira variable star is nearing the end of its life, burning through the last of its fuel. The shortening pulse isn’t constant either; Goldsmith found longer cycles of change that occur roughly every 35 and 98 years. It’s as if the star is trying to keep up with multiple rhythms simultaneously.
There’s also the dust factor. R Leonis creates vast clouds of gas and dust, forming a circumstellar disk. Interestingly, during its dimmest phases, the star maintains brightness over decades only to shift dramatically later. This indicates that the dust around R Leonis is not just moving away; it’s changing in a way that affects our observations.
It’s worth noting that observations from 1820 differ significantly from modern techniques using high-tech cameras and telescopes. Some of Goldsmith’s findings might represent artifacts of observation rather than actual behavior.
However, if he’s correct, R Leonis offers a unique glimpse into the dramatic ending of a star’s life. It’s not a quiet fade; it’s a vibrant, chaotic display as it approaches its final moments.
As we gather more data in the coming years, we’ll learn whether this speeding up of its pulsation is permanent or temporary. For now, the “heart of the lion” continues to beat faster, capturing our attention.
For those interested in deepening their understanding of stellar evolution, studies from reliable sources such as NASA or the European Space Agency provide informative insights. You can read more about stellar lifecycle dynamics here.
