Cosmic 'Dancing' Partners In Binary Star System
- 10 years ago
Astronomers have discovered a binary star system including a pulsar and a companion star, which move together in a unique way that can be compared to dancing. A binary system is made up of two stars that are orbiting the same center of mass.
Astronomers have discovered a binary star system including a pulsar and a companion star, which move together in a unique way that can be compared to dancing.
A binary system is made up of two stars that are orbiting the same center of mass.
Using the Fermi Gama-ray Space Telescope, NASA scientists have been observing the unusual movement of the stars.
Scientists believe that the small yellow star may have been the cause of the five-fold increase in gamma-ray readings from the pulsar.
The companion star also might be responsible for the disappearance of the pulsar’s radio beam.
Benjamin Stappers, an astrophysicist at the University of Manchester, England who led an international study of the binary star system is quoted as saying: "The change appears to reflect an erratic interaction between the pulsar and its companion, one that allows us an opportunity to explore a rare transitional phase in the life of this binary."
NASA scientists from the Goddard Space Flight Center have released a video simulation that explains how they think the binary star system works.
Astronomers have discovered a binary star system including a pulsar and a companion star, which move together in a unique way that can be compared to dancing.
A binary system is made up of two stars that are orbiting the same center of mass.
Using the Fermi Gama-ray Space Telescope, NASA scientists have been observing the unusual movement of the stars.
Scientists believe that the small yellow star may have been the cause of the five-fold increase in gamma-ray readings from the pulsar.
The companion star also might be responsible for the disappearance of the pulsar’s radio beam.
Benjamin Stappers, an astrophysicist at the University of Manchester, England who led an international study of the binary star system is quoted as saying: "The change appears to reflect an erratic interaction between the pulsar and its companion, one that allows us an opportunity to explore a rare transitional phase in the life of this binary."
NASA scientists from the Goddard Space Flight Center have released a video simulation that explains how they think the binary star system works.