Planet found orbiting x-ray binary for first time

Q.  What are x-ray binaries?
- Published on 04 Apr 17

a. Pair of stars orbiting each other
b. Black hole or neutron stars orbiting less compact stars
c. Pair of planets orbiting each other
d. Both a and b
e. None of the above

ANSWER: Both a and b
 
Planet found orbiting x-ray binary for first timeA team of scientists from Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru and University of Delhi for the first time have seen indications of a massive planet orbiting a low mass X-ray binary star system.

The system MXB 1658-298 is an X-ray binary and a part of the constellation Ophiuchus (serpent bearer).

It is nearly 30 thousand light years away and the planet is expected to be nearly 8 thousand times as massive as the earth.

X-ray binaries consist of a pair of stars orbiting each other of which one is compact such as a black hole or a neutron star.

In this case it is a neutron star which draws matter from its less-massive companion and generates X-rays which are detected by detectors placed in satellites in space.

This discovery is made with a new technique, X-Ray observation by measuring periodic delays in X-ray eclipses.

It is a new technique of detecting exoplanets and observations are done from space observatories.

In X-ray binaries, the time in-between eclipses of the source can increase, decrease and also shows abrupt changes.

But in MXB 1658-298, time between the eclipses increases and decreases periodically.

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