Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Aquarius (Aqr)
R-Aquarii, an explosive pair!, Marco Lorenzi
R-Aquarii, an explosive pair!
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R-Aquarii, an explosive pair!, Marco Lorenzi
R-Aquarii, an explosive pair!
Powered byPixInsight

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Description

R Aquarii is an intriguing symbiotic star system located about 710 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. This system consists of two very different stars orbiting each other: a red giant and a white dwarf. The red giant sheds mass, some of which is captured by the white dwarf. Over time, the accumulated material can ignite on the white dwarf’s surface, causing periodic outbursts or nova-like events.
What makes R Aquarii especially remarkable is the surrounding nebula, shaped by past explosive interactions. This nebula exhibits a bipolar jet structure with intricate details, visible in various wavelengths such as visible light and X-rays. As a dynamic and dramatic example of binary star interactions, R Aquarii has captivated astronomers and researchers alike.

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R-Aquarii, an explosive pair!, Marco Lorenzi