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Binary Star System
A system of two stars orbiting a common center of mass, bound together by gravitational forces.
Source: apod.nasa.gov
APODs including "Binary Star System"
Symbiotic Star System R Aquarii
04/01/1996
Image Credit:
Anglo-Australian Telescope
Board
/ NASA APOD
Sometimes stars work together to create a spectacular display. Such is the case with the binary star system R Aquarii - a "symbiotic" star system. Here two stars, a variable giant and a white dwarf companion - create both a nebula and a jet. Light from the giant star and the unusually shaped nebula are visible in the above photograph. The two visible shells in the nebula likely resulted from two separate outburst events. Much about symbiotic star systems remains unknown.