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The Dance of Stars: SMSS J1138 5139

A unique binary star system poised for a possible supernova explosion.

Alekzander Kosakowski, Matti Dorsch, Warren R. Brown, Thomas Kupfer, Fatma Ben Daya, Mukremin Kilic

― 6 min read


SMSS J1138 5139: A Star's SMSS J1138 5139: A Star's Fate spectacular supernova. A binary star system nearing a
Table of Contents

In the vast cosmos, a star named SMSS J1138 5139 has caught the attention of astronomers. This isn’t just any star; it’s a special kind of binary star. Imagine two stars dancing around each other, and one of them is a little more dramatic than the other. SMSS J1138 5139 is a system where one star is a white dwarf, which is basically a star that has run out of fuel and is now cooling down. The other star, a pre-white dwarf, still has some energy left to shine.

What’s the Big Deal?

Why should we care about this cosmic couple? Well, scientists believe that this star system could lead to a spectacular fireworks show in the sky-a Type Ia Supernova. This is an event where a star explodes with great intensity, and it’s one of the ways we learn about the universe. The more we know about stars like SMSS J1138 5139, the better we understand the life and death of stars.

Finding the Star

Astronomers used various methods to spot and study SMSS J1138 5139. They looked at a lot of data from different telescopes and observations, keeping an eye on how the star changed over time. It was like playing detective but with data instead of fingerprints. By using different types of measurements, they were able to confirm that this star was indeed a unique find.

The Dance of the Stars

The two stars in this system are not just hanging out-they’re in a close relationship. They orbit each other, and this affects how they look and behave. One star gives off a lot of light and is much more visible than the other, while the white dwarf is a bit more subdued. This relationship is called "Eclipsing," where one star occasionally passes in front of the other, blocking its light. It’s like a cosmic game of hide and seek.

Watching the Show

To figure out how these stars interact, astronomers monitored the light they give off. By carefully measuring changes in brightness, they could understand the orbit and other important details. Think of it like tracking the movements of a couple on a dance floor. When one steps in front of the other, you notice a change in the rhythm.

The Light of the Stars

They also collected data that shows how bright these stars are at different colors of light. This is similar to how a person might change their clothes based on the weather. The brighter star gives off more light, while the cooler white dwarf contributes some dim light as well. Together, they create a unique light show that tells astronomers a lot about their properties.

The Orbital Period

The stars have an orbital period, which is the time it takes for them to complete one full circle around each other. In this case, it’s about 2 minutes! That’s fast-faster than a microwave popcorn cycle! This quick dance means that astronomers can study the stars more often and gather lots of data.

The Gravitational Pull

As these two stars orbit each other, they pull on one another with gravity. This gravitational pull also causes the stars to lose energy. Over time, they could spin closer together, which might lead to a merger-the moment when one star crashes into the other. This is when the real fireworks could begin!

What About the Accretion?

The pre-white dwarf star is still pulling material from its companion. This process, known as accretion, adds more material to the white dwarf, making it more massive. It’s like feeding a pet, but in this case, the pet is a star. The more it eats, the more energetic it becomes. Eventually, this could trigger an explosion.

The Supernova Event

If enough material accumulates on the white dwarf, it could lead to a Type Ia supernova. This type of explosion is unlike any other. Imagine the brightest firework you’ve ever seen-this would be a hundred times brighter! It’s one of the most energetic events in the universe, and it sends shockwaves through space.

Predicting the Future

Scientists have made predictions about when this event might happen. They estimate that SMSS J1138 5139 could go boom within a few million years. Sure, that sounds like a long time, but in cosmic terms, it’s just around the corner. They are keeping a close watch on it, ready to take notes when the show finally starts.

The Tools of the Trade

To monitor SMSS J1138 5139, astronomers use advanced telescopes and computer models. They gather a ton of data-like a hoarder but for star information! This data helps them understand the star’s behavior, predict future events, and share findings with the scientific community.

The Importance of Collaboration

Astronomy is a team effort. Scientists from various institutions and countries have come together to study SMSS J1138 5139. Teamwork is crucial, as it allows researchers to combine their findings and put together a more complete picture. It's like assembling a puzzle where each piece comes from a different person.

Future Research

As we continue learning about SMSS J1138 5139, there’s still much to be discovered. Future observations will help refine our understanding of how these stars interact and evolve. Astronomers will also look for new ways to anticipate when it might explode. It’s like waiting for your favorite band to perform a long-awaited concert.

Time Domain Surveys

Recent sky surveys, like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, help discover more stars like SMSS J1138 5139. These projects aim to rapidly identify stars changing over time, bringing in new findings regularly. It’s like a reality show for stars, where new contestants appear weekly!

Wavelength Matters

When astronomers study stars, they look at their light across various wavelengths (colors). Each wavelength provides different information about the star's temperature, composition, and behavior. It’s a bit like tuning into different radio stations to hear various types of music.

Multi-Messenger Astronomy

The discovery of SMSS J1138 5139 is part of the growing field of multi-messenger astronomy, where scientists use different signals-like light and gravitational waves-to learn more about the universe. This new approach is like getting an upgrade to something much cooler; you can use different clues to solve the mysteries of the cosmos.

The Cosmic Puzzle

Studying SMSS J1138 5139 is just one small part of a larger cosmic puzzle. Each discovery adds to our understanding of stars, their life cycles, and the eventual fate they face. The universe is full of interesting stories, and this star happens to be one of the main characters in a gripping tale.

Conclusion

SMSS J1138 5139 is not just a star; it’s a fascinating cosmic duo on the verge of a dramatic tale. Its dance around the other star and the potential for a future explosion make it a topic of great interest. As scientists continue to observe and study this binary star system, we can't help but feel like excited spectators waiting for an incredible show. Who knows what other secrets the universe holds? Stay tuned, because the cosmos never runs out of surprises!

Original Source

Title: A New LISA-Detectable Type Ia Supernova Progenitor in the Southern Sky: SMSS J1138-5139

Abstract: We present the discovery and analysis of a nearby eclipsing ultra-compact accreting binary at coordinates 11:38:10.91 $-$51:39:49.15 (SMSS J1138$-$5139), the first well-constrained LISA-detectable Type Ia supernova progenitor. Our time series optical spectroscopy identifies its orbital period through radial velocity monitoring at $P_{\rm orb,RV}=27.69\pm0.03~{\rm min}$; twice the photometric period seen in 2-minute cadence data from TESS Sector 37. We model our optical spectroscopy together with new simultaneous multi-band time series photometry from Gemini to place constraints on the binary parameters. Our light curve modeling finds that SMSS J1138$-$5139 contains an $M_2=0.24~{\rm M_\odot}$ pre-white dwarf donor with a massive $M_1=0.99~{\rm M_\odot}$ white dwarf accretor at orbital inclination $i=88.7~{\rm deg}$. Based on our photometrically derived system parameters, we expect that gravitational wave radiation will drive SMSS J1138$-$5139 to a merger within $\tau=5.7\pm0.3~{\rm Myr}$ and result in a Type Ia supernova. Even without a direct merger event, the component masses of SMSS J1138$-$5139 and active hydrogen accretion suggest that eventual helium accretion will likely also trigger a Type Ia supernova explosion through the dynamically-driven double-degenerate double-detonation (D6) channel. We expect LISA to detect the gravitational wave emission from SMSS J1138$-$5139 with signal-to-noise $7-10$ after a 48-month mission.

Authors: Alekzander Kosakowski, Matti Dorsch, Warren R. Brown, Thomas Kupfer, Fatma Ben Daya, Mukremin Kilic

Last Update: Nov 28, 2024

Language: English

Source URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.19391

Source PDF: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2411.19391

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Changes: This summary was created with assistance from AI and may have inaccuracies. For accurate information, please refer to the original source documents linked here.

Thank you to arxiv for use of its open access interoperability.

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