Variable Stars #1 is a photograph by Russell Kightley/science Photo Library which was uploaded on September 25th, 2018.
Variable Stars #1
Variable stars. Artwork of a magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) binary system containing an class dwarf star (left) and a dense, strongly magnetic... more
Title
Variable Stars #1
Artist
Russell Kightley/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph
Description
Variable stars. Artwork of a magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) binary system containing an 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.
Uploaded
September 25th, 2018
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