Science
Astronomers observe pulsar capturing stellar wind from hypergiant companion in BP Crucis system
NASA News reports that XRISM observatory data revealed plasma moving toward a neutron star at 335,000 mph.
The short version
- Data from the XRISM observatory showed gas from the blue hypergiant star Wray 977 flowing into its neutron star companion at 335,000 mph.[NASA News]
- The observations provide direct evidence explaining how captured stellar wind fuels powerful X-ray flares in high-mass binary systems.[NASA News]
- Researchers observed that as the pulsar moves deeper into the stellar stream, its surrounding gas disk collapses, letting plasma fall directly onto the star.[NASA News]
Key facts
- The BP Crucis system is a high-mass X-ray binary located about 13,000 light-years away, consisting of blue hypergiant Wray 977 and neutron star GX 301-2.[NASA News]
- Observations from the XRISM Resolve instrument on Feb. 1, 2025, tracked gas moving toward the pulsar at approximately 335,000 mph.[NASA News]
- The neutron star takes about four days to transit the stellar stream generated by its hypergiant companion.[NASA News]
What remains uncertain
- Astronomers suspect, but have not conclusively proven, that the turbulent accretion disk dissipates due to a loss of angular momentum as the pulsar moves directly into the flow.[NASA News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.