Binary Star System AR Scorpii: Artist’s Impression | ESA

Binary Star System AR Scorpii: Artist’s Impression | ESA

This artist’s impression shows the strange object AR Scorpii. In this unique double star a rapidly spinning white dwarf star (right) powers electrons up to almost the speed of light. These high energy particles release blasts of radiation that lash the companion red dwarf star (left) and cause the entire system to pulse dramatically every 1.97 minutes with radiation ranging from the ultraviolet to radio.

Distance: 400 light years

Credit: M. Garlick/University of Warwick, European Space Agency (ESA)/Hubble

Release Date: July 27, 2016

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