The Open Journal of Astrophysics Archives

This illustration depicts a binary star system consisting of a dense neutron star and a normal Sun-like star (upper left). Using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, astronomers found several systems like this one, in which the two bodies are widely separated. Because the bodies in these systems are far apart, with separations on average 300 times the size of a Sun-like star, the neutron star is dormant—it is not actively stealing mass from its companion and is thus very faint. To find these hidden neutron stars, the scientists used Gaia observations to look for a wobble in the Sun-like stars caused by a tugging action of the orbiting neutron stars. These are the first neutron stars discovered purely due to their gravitational effects. As depicted in this illustration, the intense gravity of the compact neutron star—which is about 100,000 times smaller than the Sun-like star yet heavier—warps our view of the sky around it, producing a distorted mirrored view of the nearby star. Credit: Caltech/R. Hurt (IPAC)

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Stellar Cartography

Sun-like Stars Have Been Found Orbiting Hidden Companions

by Keith CowingJuly 29, 2024July 29, 2024

Most stars in our universe come in pairs. While our own Sun is a loner, many stars like our Sun orbit similar stars, while a host of other exotic pairings […]

The Open Journal of Astrophysics

Sun-like Stars Have Been Found Orbiting Hidden Companions

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