Follow this link to skip to the main content

Binary System Cool Fact

Binary Systems

Accretion in a binary system is a very efficient way to make X-rays. It's even more efficient than fusion! The first X-ray sources discovered were accretion-powered binaries because they were the brightest. Some of the accretion-powered sources have X-ray luminosities of 1038 erg/s. In comparison, the Sun's X-ray luminosity is only about 1027 erg/s.




 

A service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Andy Ptak (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/GSFC

NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard