Universe  ID: 12078

Cosmic Fireworks

Astronomers are gearing up for high-energy fireworks when a stellar remnant the size of a city meets one of the brightest stars in our galaxy. The cosmic light show will occur when a pulsar discovered by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope swings by its companion star. The pulsar, known as J2032+4127 (J2032 for short), is a magnetized ball about 12 miles across and weighing almost twice the sun's mass. Its companion, known as MT91 213, is a star 15 times the mass of the sun that’s embedded in a large disk of gas and dust. In early 2018, J2032 will plunge through the star’s disk. Scientists predict the encounter will produce intense emissions of gamma rays, the most energetic form of light. The event will help astronomers measure the massive star's properties. Explore the images to learn more.
 

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Story Credits

Lead Visualizer/Animator:
Walt Feimer (HTSI)

Lead Producer:
Scott Wiessinger (USRA)

Scientist:
Paul Ray (NRL)

Lead Writer:
Francis Reddy (Syneren Technologies)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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Keywords:
SVS >> Astrophysics
SVS >> App
NASA Science >> Universe