First Look Inside a White Dwarf System: MIT Unveils Surprising X-Ray Secrets

Описание: MIT astronomers have used NASA's IXPE telescope to peer into the extreme environment of a white dwarf system, EX Hydrae, located 200 light-years away. This groundbreaking study reveals a towering column of white-hot gas, unexpected X-ray polarization patterns, and new insights into how these systems emit intense radiation. Learn how this discovery challenges existing theories and opens new avenues for studying accreting white dwarfs and their role in cosmic phenomena like supernovae.
Key Highlights:
Surprising X-ray polarization reveals the geometry of the innermost region.
2,000-mile-high gas column defies previous predictions.
Reflected X-rays confirm long-suspected interactions with the white dwarf’s surface.
Implications for understanding supernovae and galactic ecology.
Join us as we explore this fascinating cosmic dance and the cutting-edge technology behind these discoveries!