Astronomy Object of the Week - No.5

It's been a while since the last Astro Object of the Week, but here it is! This'll be a little introduction to the variable star SS Cygni, located in the constellation Cygnus, the Swan.

First things first: SS Cygni is categorized as a lot of different things, including a cataclysmic variable star, U Geminorum type dwarf star, and dwarf nova. As a cataclysmic variable star, it will eventually trigger a Type Ia supernova. SS Cygni is a binary system consisting of a white dwarf and a red dwarf that are so close together that one revolutionary period is only a little over six and a half hours long.

Throughout its rotations, the white dwarf will accrete matter from its companion, a common characteristic of dwarf novas. These white dwarfs are also involved in periodic outbursts in which the luminosity will increases due to instability in the accretion disk, every seven to eight weeks in this case.

When the mass of the white dwarf is close enough to or over the Chandrasekhar limit (1.4 solar masses), runaway carbon fusion will occur and lead to a spectacular (yet morbid) display of colors.

Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice!

http://thebeautyandartofs.wix.com/thebeautyofscience#!Winter-Solstice/c1my5/5679c97e0cf2c2b7798ee4ef

Exoplanet Posters

I found these cool exoplanet posters!

Astronomy Object of the Week - No.4

Here's Astronomy Object of the Week - No.4 (Kepler-452b). Sorry for the delay!

http://thebeautyandartofs.wix.com/thebeautyofscience#!Astronomy-Object-of-the-Week-No-4/c1my5/55bfa4aa0cf28e7a8e4001a2

Astronomy Object of the Week - No.3

Here is the new Astronomical Object: Messier 42, better known as the Orion Nebula!

http://thebeautyandartofs.wix.com/thebeautyofscience#!Astronomy-Object-of-the-Week-No3/c1my5/55aea9f40cf22effe2e23459

Astronomy Object of the Week - No.2

Here is the second astronomy object: the Kepler-186 system. Enjoy!

http://thebeautyandartofs.wix.com/thebeautyofscience#!Astronomy-Object-of-the-Week-No2/c1my5/55a21e480cf2ba155ece20ab

Astronomy Object of the Week - No.1

I decided to start a series on Astronomy objects, so here is the first one, HD 106906b!

http://thebeautyandartofs.wix.com/thebeautyofscience#!Astronomy-Object-of-the-Week-No1/c1my5/559962f20cf2efdf74ec69ee

Don't forget to subscribe to my other website and like my Facebook page!