Astronomers solve 50-year mystery of a naked-eye star’s extreme X-rays
SMRTR summary
The star γ Cassiopeiae has puzzled astronomers since 1976 when they discovered it emits X-rays forty times stronger than expected from typical massive stars. Using Japan's XRISM space telescope, researchers tracked the source of these intense X-rays across the star's 203-day orbital period and found they originate from a magnetic white dwarf companion pulling material from the main star. This discovery solves the 50-year mystery and confirms a long-predicted type of binary system that had never been clearly identified before.
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