International teams of astronomers monitoring a supermassive black hole in the heart of a distant galaxy have detected features never seen before using data from NASA missions and other facilities. The features include the launch of a plasma jet moving at nearly one-third the speed of light and unusual, rapid X-ray fluctuations likely arising from near the very edge of the black hole. Radio images of 1ES 1927+654 reveal emerging structures that appear to be jets of plasma erupting from both sides of the galaxy’s central black hole following a…
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A Strange White Dwarf with a Chaotic Past
New observations show that both rocky and icy worlds fell onto a white dwarf, indicating past orbital chaos in the system. The post A Strange White Dwarf with a Chaotic Past appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreWhen a White Dwarf Turned into a Thermonuclear Fireball
Astronomers have spotted the X-ray flash that precedes a nova. The brief flare is the first sign of a white dwarf erupting into a nuclear-fusion fireball. The post When a White Dwarf Turned into a Thermonuclear Fireball appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read More60-second Astro News: White Dwarfs Still Burn, Black Holes Merge
This week in astronomy news, we learn that some white dwarfs still burn and image X-rays from black holes almost 12 billion light-years away. The post 60-second Astro News: White Dwarfs Still Burn, Black Holes Merge appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreMoon-size White Dwarf Is the Smallest Ever Found
Astronomers have discovered a white dwarf only slightly bigger than the Moon, making it the smallest ever found. It might even be on the edge of collapse. The post Moon-size White Dwarf Is the Smallest Ever Found appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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