Einstein Probe catches X-ray odd couple

The odd celestial couple consists of a large, hot star, 10 times larger than our sun, and a small compact white dwarf, with a mass similar to our star. Only a few of these systems have been found so far. And this is the first time scientists could track the X-ray light coming from such a curious pair, which could be away from their early sudden provision to its disappearance.

On 27 May 2024, the Einstein probe was spotted on the Wide-Made X-ray Telescope (WXT) our neighboring galaxy, X-rays coming from within the small Magelnic Cloud (SMC). To highlight the origin of this new Celestial Beckon with EP J0052, scientists indicated the follow-up X-ray telescope of Einstein probes in that direction.

WXT’s comments also triggers NASA’s swift and good X-ray telescopes to indicate the new discovered object. ESA’s XMM-Nuton chased 18 days after the trigger.

“We were following fleeting sources, when we came to this new place of X-ray light in SMC. We realized that we were looking at some unusual, that only Einstein could catch the investigation, ”says Alesio Marino, Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), Spain, Spain and the lead author of the new study published today.

“This is because the X-ray monitoring the sky amidst current telescopes, WXT is the only one who can see low energy X-rays with sufficient sensitivity to catch the novel source.”

Initially, scientists thought that EP J0052 may be a famous type of binary system that shines in X-rays. These pairs include the material from a giant star partner from a neutron star. Nevertheless, there was something in the data telling a different story …

A rare search

Thanks to the Einstein probe, to catch the novel source from its initial flash, scientists can analyze the batch of data from various devices. He investigated how lighting varies in a range of X-ray wavelength in six days, and tease some elements present in the explosion material such as nitrogen, oxygen and some elements present in neon. The analysis gave important clues.

“We soon understood that we were working with a rare discovery of a very elusive celestial doubles” Alexio. “Unusual pair contains a huge star called BE star, the weight of the sun 12 times, and a stellar ‘corpse’ known as a white dwarf, a compact and hyper-dress object, which is like us Tara is with mass. “

The two stars closely orbit each other, and the intense gravitational area of ​​the white dwarf draws matter from its partner. Since more and more materials (mainly hydrogen) rains on the compact object, its strong gravity compresses it, until a fugitive nuclear explosion begins. This visual makes a bright flash of light in a wide range of wavelengths from light to UVS and X-rays.

At first glance, the existence of the pair is surprising. Through its reserve of nuclear fuel, the type of stars of type are rapidly burnt. His life is spread about 20 million years. Its partner (usually) is the residue of a star that will live for several billions of years in separation.

Since binary stars are usually formed simultaneously, the alleged short -term star is still shining, while the alleged long -lasting living is already dead?

There is an explanation.

A story of two stars

Scientists feel that the couple started together, consisting of two big stars as a better matching binary pair, six and eight times more larger than our sun.

The elder star first ended his nuclear fuel and began an excuse for his partner. First, its puff-ups were pulled by the gas partner in the external layers; Then the remaining outer shells were thrown out, leading to an envelope around the two stars, which later became a disc, and finally dissolved.

By the end of the drama, fellow star had increased 12 times from the mass of the sun, while the core outside the other collapsed to become just one white dwarf of a solar mass. Now, it is the turn of white dwarfs that is to steal and to steal the material from the outer layers of the BE star.

Research Fellow and X-ray Astronomor at ESA said, “This study gives us new insights in a rarely seen phase of stellar development, which is the result of a complex exchange of materials between two stars . ” “It is attractive to see that a conversation pair of large -scale stars can produce such complicated results.”

ESA’s XMM-Newton Mission’s follow-up observation EP J0052, 18 days later, after the first look of Einstein investigation, no longer saw the signal. This determines a limit on the flare period, which shows it relatively brief.

The period of small bursting, and the presence of neon and oxygen, indicate on a heavy type of white dwarf, possibly 20% larger than the sun. Its mass is close to level, called Chandrasekhar Seema, above which the star will continue to get stuck, and become a dense neutron star, or explode as a supernova.

Game-conversion monitor

“B-white has been exceptionally difficult to catch outbreak from the pair of dwarfs, as they are best seen with low energy X-rays. The arrival of Einstein probes offers a unique opportunity to tested these fleeting sources and test our understanding about the growth of stars on a large scale, ”ESA project scientist Eric Kulkers commented for Einstein investigation.

“This discovery shows the sports capabilities of this mission.”

Notes for editors

“Epj005245.1 .7222843’s Einstein Investigation Search: A rare Bewd Binary in the small Magalanic cloud?” By Marino et al. Today is published on APJL

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About Einstein Investigation

The Einstein Investigation is a mission of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), which is working in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), Max-Plank-Estitute for Extratteral Physics (MPE), Germany and Center National D’Tuds Spatial (CNES), France. It was launched on 9 January 2024 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China, and two equipment was borne. Wide-field X-ray telescope monitors a large part of the sky for constant unexpected X-rays, and follow-up X-ray telescope (FXT) that for WXT in homes on X-ray sources Is found. More detailed form.