CH Cyg, Binary Star System, X-Ray
CH Cyg is a binary star system containing a white dwarf that feeds from the wind of a red giant star. The material from the wind forms a hot accretion disk around the white dwarf before crashing onto the star. CH Cyg is one of only a few hundred symbiotic systems known, and one of the closest to the Earth. Symbiotic systems are fascinating objects, where the components are codependent and influence each other's structure, daily life, and evolution. They are likely progenitors of bipolar planetary nebulas and they could make up some of the systems that later explode as Type Ia supernovas, spectacular explosions visible across cosmological distances. A recent powerful jet in CH Cyg, was caught in action by Chandra, HST and VLA. The material in the jet is moving with a speed of over three million miles per hour and is powered by material spinning in the accretion disk around the white dwarf. The detailed structure of the X-ray jet is seen for the first time in this system, showcasing the superb high-resolution capabilities of Chandra. Release date June 9, 2010.
Size: 3600px × 3600px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -ray, 2010, 21st, accretion, astronomical, astronomy, binary, body, celestial, century, ch, chandra, compact, cxc, cyg, deep, degenerate, detection, disk, dwarf, emission, formation, giant, heavenly, image, jet, luminous, object, observation, observatory, orbiting, red, remnant, science, sky, space, star, stars, stellar, symbiotic, system, white
