Space & Astronomy
July 8, 2012 ·
12 comments
Image Credit: NASA
"To our complete surprise, we found several red dwarf binaries with orbital periods significantly shorter than the 5 hour cut-off found for Sun-like stars, something previously thought to be impossible," said astronomer Bas Nefs. "It means that we have to rethink how these close-in binaries form and evolve."
Source: Phys.org | Comments (12)
'Impossible' binary stars discovered
By T.K. RandallJuly 8, 2012 ·
12 comments
Image Credit: NASA
Astronomers have discovered two red dwarf stars orbiting one another in a record breaking 2.5 hours.
While binary star systems are quite common in our galaxy, it was thought that a binary system with an orbit of under 5 hours was impossible because at such a short distance the two stars would merge together to form a single large star. Astronomers were therefore surprised to discover a binary system in which the stars were so close together that they're orbital period was only 2.5 hours."To our complete surprise, we found several red dwarf binaries with orbital periods significantly shorter than the 5 hour cut-off found for Sun-like stars, something previously thought to be impossible," said astronomer Bas Nefs. "It means that we have to rethink how these close-in binaries form and evolve."
About half of the stars in our Milky Way galaxy are, unlike our Sun, part of a binary system in which two stars orbit each other. Most likely, the stars in these systems were formed close together and have been in orbit around each other from birth onwards.
Source: Phys.org | Comments (12)
Recent stories:
The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News
AVAILABLE NOW
Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.
Click here to learn more
Support us on Patreon
BONUS CONTENTFor less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.
Click here to learn more
Cryptozoology, Myths and Legends
Space: Astronomy and Astrophysics
UK and Europe
Extraterrestrial Life and The UFO Phenomenon
Total Posts: 7,607,066 Topics: 316,422 Members: 201,848
Not a member yet ? Click here to join - registration is free and only takes a moment!
Not a member yet ? Click here to join - registration is free and only takes a moment!
1 week
2 weeks
3 weeks
1 month
This week
This month
All time
 |
1. | Electronic Voice Phenomenon |
|
2. | Paranormal |
|
3. | Unidentified Flying Object |
 |
4. | Bigfoot |
|
5. | Spirit Photography (Classic) |
|
6. | Loch Ness Monster |
|
7. | Pareidolia |
|
8. | Area 51 |
|
9. | Orb |
|
10. | Storm Area 51 |
Top | Home | Forum
News | Columns | Encyclopedia
UM 11.2 Unexplained-Mysteries.com (c) 2001-2024
Terms | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Contact
News | Columns | Encyclopedia
UM 11.2 Unexplained-Mysteries.com (c) 2001-2024
Terms | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Contact
Please Login or Register to post a comment.