The star system is located 3,400 light years away.
The European Space Agency (ESA) shared a stunning image of a mysterious star system on Friday. The star is located 3,400 light-years away in the Sagitta galaxy and consists of a red giant and its white dwarf companion. ESA called it a „cosmic dance of ice and fire,” noting how it became hotter and dimmer.
According to the ESA, the enigmatic star surprised astronomers in 1975 with a „nova-like explosion” – growing 250 times brighter.
„It’s a tale of two stars: a red giant generously donates material to its white dwarf companion, creating a dazzling spectacle. Red haze? That’s a red giant’s powerful wind! But Mira HM Sge is a real enigma. In 1975, it surprised astronomers with a nova-like explosion. , but unlike most novae, it hasn’t faded since then, and it’s gotten hotter!”
Check out the images here:
Astronomers used archival data from Hubble and the retired NASA SOFIA observatory (Infrared Astronomy Stratospheric Observatory) and other missions to revisit the binary star system.
”Thanks to Hubble and the retired Sophia telescope, we are piecing the puzzle together. Hubble’s ultraviolet data reveals hot temperatures around the white dwarf, while SOFIA has detected water flowing at incredible speeds, suggesting a rotating disc object,” the post’s caption adds.
Between April and September 1975, the binary system HM Sagittae grew 250 times brighter. Recently, observations have shown that the system has warmed, but paradoxically dimmed a bit.
Looking at the image, one user wrote, „This dance between red giant and white dwarf is really amazing.”
Another said: „It’s so beautiful and intriguing, love it.” A third said, „Amazing views.”
„Oddany rozwiązywacz problemów. Przyjazny hipsterom praktykant bekonu. Miłośnik kawy. Nieuleczalny introwertyk. Student.