XRISM Makes First-Ever Detection of a Pulsar Feeding from a Companion's Stellar "Wind"

Animation showing a compact pulsar on the verge of passing through its companion's stream of "stellar wind." Credit: NASA GSFC Conceptual Image Laboratory

Using data from the Japan-led XRISM observatory, astronomers have directly observed a giant star’s stellar wind captured by its compact companion (triggering X-ray flares) for the first time.

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