Space Telescopes
Astronomers have identified a hidden white dwarf companion as the source of extreme X-rays from the naked-eye star Gamma Cassiopeiae. Observations from Japan's XRISM space telescope revealed the companion's orbital motion through shifting plasma velocities. The discovery confirms a long-predicted class of binary star systems.
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Astronomers have discovered a companion star orbiting kappa Tucanae A that likely sustains a puzzling cloud of ultra-hot dust. Located 70 light-years from Earth, the dust endures extreme conditions near the main star, challenging previous understandings of planetary systems. This finding, achieved through advanced interferometry, could aid future searches for Earth-like exoplanets.
Astronomers have observed a rare event where a black hole fell into a companion star and ate its way out, producing the longest-known gamma-ray burst. The burst, lasting about seven hours, was detected 9 billion light-years from Earth. This unusual scenario explains the extended duration of the phenomenon.