An anomalously hot and blue star found in old stellar populations that appears more massive and younger than expected. These stars lag behind normal stellar evolution, likely formed through stellar mergers or mass transfer in binary systems.
Coined by Allan Sandage in 1953, combining 'blue' for their hot color and 'straggler' meaning 'one who falls behind', because they appear to lag behind expected stellar evolution. The name reflects their puzzling presence in old star clusters.
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