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Variable stars
Description:
Variable stars. Artwork of a magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) binary system containing an M- class dwarf star (left) and a dense, strongly magnetic white dwarf star (upper right). Gas from the M-class star spirals towards the white dwarf, forming an orbiting disc (accretion disc, red). Because the gas is charged, as it approaches the white dwarf it follows the star's magnetic field lines and plunges into the magnetic poles (blue/white). This causes intermittent, powerful X-ray emissions. An accretion disc is found only in the intermediate polar class of CV; polar CVs are more magnetic, preventing the disc from forming.
Credit:
Russell Kightley/Science Source
Unique identifier:
SS2175834
Legacy Identifier:
SD5883
Type:
Image
Size:
4015px × 2975px (~34 MB)
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Tags
accretion disc
astronomy
astrophysics
binary star
cataclysmic variable
companion
cosmology
curtains
dq herculis
dwarf
emission
emitting
exotic
gas
horizontal
m
magnetic
R670/0137
R670/137
R6700137
spiral
spiralling
star death
stellar
sun
white dwarf
x-ray
x-rays