Evolution of a hot high-mass binary star (VIDEO)
Caption
This artist's impression shows how hot, brilliant and high-mass stars evolve. Most such stars are in pairs. The more massive brighter star expands first, until the outer layers start to strongly feel the gravitational pull of the companion. The companion then starts to suck material from the primary star. When the primary has been stripped from its entire hydrogen rich envelope it shrinks. At this point the secondary star is now rotating very fast and has an oblate shape. The hot compact star continues to fuse heavier and heavier elements in its centre until it explodes as a supernova. During the explosion a neutron star is born which probably escapes. The secondary is left behind alone. It swells up and becomes a red supergiant with a radius a few times larger than the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. Eventually the second star also explodes as a supernova.
Credit
ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser/S.E. de Mink
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator.
License
CC BY