A dead “vampire” star is feeding on a nearby companion and expelling cannonballs and its behaviour has left astronomers stunned. The dead star is located around 4,500 light-years away and, until now, has baffled astronomers with its unusual behaviour. It is a rapidly spinning neutron star, otherwise known as a pulsar, that has been given the name PSR J1023+0038, shortened to J1023. It emits radiation from both its poles that occasionally reach Earth and also appears to have two different “settings” of brightness. Initially, the behaviour of J1023 confused experts, but now they believe that the stark difference in brightness levels has to do with the star launching out matter over short spaces of time. Maria Cristina Baglio, leader of the research team and scientist at New York University, Abu Dhabi, said in a statement: “We have witnessed extraordinary cosmic events where enormous amounts of matter, similar to cosmic cannonballs, are launched into space within a very brief time span of tens of seconds from a small, dense celestial object rotating at incredibly high speeds.” In addition to the pulsar emitting matter, over the last 10 years, scientists have witnessed the star pulling material from its companion star. The material it is stealing forms a structure called an accretion disk that forms around the star itself. Since it began feeding, the star has been alternating between between “low” and “high” power modes. During moments of high power, the star shines brightly with a variation of X-rays, ultraviolet and visible light. During low power, it emits radio waves and appears much dimmer. In June 2021, experts witnessed a star shooting out hot, luminous matter that has been compared to a cosmic cannonball as the star continually switched modes. J1023 has fascinated experts, who have been able to explain the way the star behaves by observing it. Despite solving many of its mysteries, the scientists aren’t done with it yet. With the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in northern Chile currently under construction, it is hoped that when it is ready, scientists will once more be able to observe the pulsar. Sergio Campana, research co-author and Research Director at the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics Brera Observatory, said: “The ELT will allow us to gain key insights into how the abundance, distribution, dynamics and energetics of the inflowing matter around the pulsar are affected by the mode switching behavior.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Scotland welcome Norway to Hampden Park in their final Euro 2024 qualifier, although Steve Clarke’s side have already safely secured their passage to next summer’s tournament. Scotland’s marvellous start to qualifying saw them win their first five games, eventually securing their place at Euro 2024 when Spain beat Norway 1-0 last month, although they have begun to falter since – losing to England, Spain and France before needing an injury-time equaliser from Lawrence Shankland to snatch a draw in Georgia earlier this week. It took 87th and 89th-minute goals from Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean respectively for the Scots to nick a 2-1 win in Norway earlier in the qualification campaign but the visitors will be without talisman Erling Haaland this time round after he picked up a foot injury during the friendly win over Faroe Islands on Thursday. Scotland’s second place in the group, and automatic qualification for Euro 2024, is already secure but there are seeding implications to the otherwise dead rubber in Glasgow. If they beat Norway by two goals or more, they will almost certainly be in pot two, while a one-goal victory, a draw or a defeat will likely see them in pot three. However, the way things are shaping up, it does not look like there will be a major benefit to being in pot two as opposed to pot three. Here’s everything you need to know, while you can get the latest match odds and tips here. When is Scotland vs Norway? Scotland vs Norway is due to kick off at 7.45pm GMT on Sunday 19 November at Hampden Park in Glasgow. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match on ViaPlay Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm. All of Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifiers are being shown on ViaPlay, which requires a ViaPlay Total pass subscription. The match can be accessed by downloading the ViaPlay app or through providers such as Sky, Virgin Media or Prime Video. It can also be streamed directly on the ViaPlay website. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Erling Haaland’s absence is the big news after he failed to recover from a foot injury sustained against the Faroe Islands on Thursday. Without Haaland, Alexander Sorloth and Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard who remains out with an undisclosed issue, Norway may struggle to make attacking inroads, although Celta Vigo’s Strand Larsen will likely start and Mohamed Elyounoussi could be reintroduced on the left flank. Scotland didn’t suffer any further injury woe against Georgia on Thursday, although Kenny McLean impressed as a half-time substitute and may start. With first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn injured, Zander Clark was given the nod between the posts last time, so Liam Kelly may be tested on the international stage this time out. Stuart Armstrong and Lawrence Shankland are likely to come into contention for a start too after combining for the late equaliser in Tbilisi. Predicted line-ups Scotland XI: Kelly; Porteous, McKenna, Cooper; Ralston, Armstrong, McGregor, Taylor; McGinn, McTominay; Shankland Norway XI: Dyngeland; Ryerson, Ostigard, Ajer, Wolfe; Berge, Berg, Aursnes; Bobb, Larsen, Elyounoussi Odds Scotland win: 6/5 Draw: 21/10 Norway win: 5/2 Get latest odds and our tips here Prediction A Haaland-less Norway may struggle to pierce the Scottish defence and Steve Clarke’s men will ensure the Tartan Army can celebrate ending the qualifiers on a high. Scotland 2-0 Norway Read More Erling Haaland ruled out of Norway match – only a week before Man City v Liverpool Steve Clarke praises Scotland for keeping their heads after late draw in Georgia Scotland secure late draw in Georgia after Kvaratskhelia brace Clarke targets winning return for Scotland after back-to-back defeats Is Georgia vs Scotland on TV? Channel, time and how to watch On this day in 2019: Mauricio Pochettino sacked by Tottenham

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