NASA spots a mysterious red sphere hurtling through space at record speed, leaving scientists scrambling for answers

NASA has revealed the discovery of a mysterious red celestial object speeding through the Milky Way at an extraordinary velocity. Named CWISE J1249, this enigmatic sphere is challenging astronomers’ understanding of stars and planets. It behaves like a rogue planet , resembles a failed star, moves faster than almost any object ever recorded, and possesses physical properties that contradict long-standing theories of stellar and planetary formation.

The origin of this object, the mechanism behind its speed, and its potential impact on our knowledge of the galaxy have now become the centre of an intense global scientific investigation.


NASA discovers rogue red sphere CWISE J1249 racing through space

The object was detected using NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), a telescope designed to identify faint, distant, and cold objects in space through infrared light. Initially spotted as an unusually bright point, its motion data revealed that it was far more extraordinary than first assumed.

Unlike conventional rogue planets, which drift slowly through space, CWISE J1249 travels at over one million miles per hour, immediately drawing the attention of NASA researchers and the international astronomical community. Objects moving at such extreme velocities are exceedingly rare. Even runaway stars, which are ejected from their systems due to gravitational interactions, typically do not approach the speed of CWISE J1249. Spectroscopic analysis revealed a set of remarkable features:

• Extremely low mass, far below that of typical stars
• Minimal metal content, indicating an unusual or primitive composition
• A unique infrared signature, unlike known stars, planets, or substellar objects

These characteristics make it almost impossible to classify. Astronomers are left questioning whether it is a tiny star, a failed star, a planet expelled from its system, or a remnant of a cosmic explosion.


WISE telescope reveals CWISE J1249 as a moving red sphere with unique traits

The WISE telescope’s infrared capabilities allowed scientists to detect heat emitted by CWISE J1249, confirming that it is not merely a rock or fragment of debris. Infrared data enabled researchers to measure its movement, size, and temperature, which are critical factors for understanding its composition and nature.

Infrared detection indicated that the object is a structured body with internal energy, rather than a passive fragment floating through space. NASA researchers have observed several remarkable traits that make CWISE J1249 unlike any known celestial object. Its low metal content is exceptionally rare in the modern universe, while its low mass places it below the threshold of a conventional star. The sphere’s red colouration indicates heat emission, yet it does not shine with the brightness of a typical star. Its spherical structure reflects gravitational cohesion, and it does not orbit any nearby star, moving freely through the galaxy.

These unusual characteristics suggest that CWISE J1249 may be part of an ancient population of objects formed under conditions vastly different from those seen in today’s universe. Such a combination of features challenges traditional understanding of both stars and planets, hinting at a complex and potentially primordial origin.


Speed of the red sphere CWISE J1249

CWISE J1249 travels at over one million miles per hour, making it one of the fastest isolated celestial objects ever observed. To contextualise its speed, consider that Earth orbits the Sun at approximately 67,000 miles per hour, fast-moving stars travel between 200,000 and 500,000 miles per hour, and the Milky Way rotates at around 515,000 miles per hour. The extraordinary velocity of CWISE J1249 implies it was propelled by a tremendous force, either gravitational or explosive in nature, setting it apart from virtually all other known objects in the galaxy.



Scientists investigate the origin and mysteries of CWISE J1249

Scientists are exploring two main possibilities for the origin of this red sphere. One theory suggests it is a fragment of a white dwarf supernova, ejected at extreme velocity during the explosive death of its parent star. This scenario could explain its minimal metal content and unusual composition, as well as its incredible speed. Another possibility is that CWISE J1249 is a failed star or an ejected planet, never fully ignited or expelled from its original system by intense gravitational interactions, such as encounters with binary stars or black holes. While both theories are plausible, neither fully accounts for all of the observed characteristics, leaving its true nature shrouded in mystery.


Scientific significance of rogue objects

Rogue planets and isolated stellar remnants provide critical insights into the gravitational dynamics of star systems, the instability of planetary arrangements, and the effects of ancient cosmic explosions. The movement of such bodies across the galaxy offers clues about the distribution of matter and the evolution of stellar systems. If CWISE J1249 is confirmed as a supernova remnant, it could reveal how stellar explosions influence surrounding objects and contribute to galactic architecture.




Also Read | Is 3I Atlas really moving? Viral space footage claims ‘unexplained’ motion fuelling intense cosmic speculation; know the truth