Low-mass X-ray binaryLow-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs or LMXRBs) are X-ray binary systems containing a compact object, typically a neutron star or black hole, and a normal star less than or equal to the mass of the Sun. LMXBs form when a high-mass star in a binary system with a low-mass star explodes in a supernova, becoming a neutron star or black hole.
High-mass X-ray binaryA high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB or HMXRB) is a binary star system containing a compact object (typically a black hole or neutron star) and a normal star more massive than approximately 8–10 solar masses (M☉). They form when the more massive star in a binary undergoes a supernova explosion to become a neutron star or black hole, and then begins to accrete from the other star, which can be a supergiant, a Be star, or, rarely, a Wolf-Rayet star.
Neutron starA neutron star is the gravitationally collapsed core of a massive supergiant star. It results from the supernova explosion of a massive star—combined with gravitational collapse—that compresses the core past white dwarf star density to that of atomic nuclei. Surpassed only by black holes, neutron stars are the second-smallest and second-densest known class of stellar objects.
Black holeCompact astronomical bodyAn image of the core region of Messier 87, a supermassive black hole, processed from an array of eight radio telescopes known as the EHT with colours indicating brightness temperatureSimulated view of a nonspinning, uncharged black hole in front of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The gravitational lensing effect produces two enlarged but distorted views of the Cloud. Across the top, the Milky Way disk appears distorted into an arc.
White dwarfStellar core remnantFor other uses, see White dwarf (other).A white dwarf is a very dense type of star: in an Earth-sized volume, it packs a mass that is comparable to the Sun. A white dwarf radiates light from residual heat and eventual crystallization, not from nuclear fusion. Stars like the Sun, whose mass is not high enough to collapse into a neutron star or black hole, are expected to become white dwarf stars later in their evolution.
Binary starA binary star or binary star system is a system of two stars that are gravitationally bound to and in orbit around each other. Binary stars are among the most important objects in astrophysics because they allow direct measurement of stellar masses and test theories of stellar evolution. Binary stars in the night sky that are seen as a single object to the naked eye are often resolved as separate stars using a telescope, in which case they are called visual binaries.
X-rayForm of electromagnetic radiationNatural color X-ray photogram of a wine scene. Note the edges of hollow cylinders as compared to the solid candle.William Coolidge explains medical imaging and X-rays.An X-ray is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than those of ultraviolet rays and longer than those of gamma rays.
Main sequenceIn astronomy, the main sequence is a classification of stars which appear on plots of stellar color versus brightness as a continuous and distinctive band. Stars spend the majority of their lives on the main sequence, during which core hydrogen burning is dominant. These main-sequence stars, or sometimes interchangeably dwarf stars, are the most numerous true stars in the universe and include the Sun.
StarLarge self-illuminated object in spaceThe Sun, a G-type main-sequence star, the closest to EarthA star-forming region in the Large Magellanic CloudA star is a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by self-gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night; their immense distances from Earth make them appear as fixedpoints of light.
Nuclear fusionReaction that combines atomic nucleiNot to be confused with Nuclear fission.Fusion plasma in China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak.Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus. The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or the absorption of energy.
Gravitational energyGravitational energy or gravitational potential energy is the potential energy an object with mass has due to the gravitational potential of its position in a gravitational field.
PositronThe positron or antielectron is the particle with an electric charge of +1e, a spin of 1/2 ħ (the same as the electron), and the same mass as an electron. It is the antiparticle (antimatter counterpart) of the electron. When a positron collides with an electron, annihilation occurs. If this collision occurs at low energies, it results in the production of two or more photons.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.