Astronomers have found the first gamma-ray eclipses coming from a system of “spider” stars.

What is a spider star system?

A spider star system is one in which a superdense star (pulsar) spins quickly, eats another star.

What are pulsars?

Pulsars are neutron stars that spin quickly and send out radiation pulses at regular intervals.

What are neutron stars?

Neutron stars are high-density objects with tightly packed neutrons and a very small diameter.

These gamma-ray eclipses happen when the pulsar’s companion star moves in front of it and blocks the path of high-energy photons for a short time.

Researchers from different countries discovered seven spider star systems. The findings assist the scientists to figure out how a spider system is tilted in relation to Earth.

Scientists might also be able to tell the difference between neutron stars and black holes.

Key facts!

• Researchers say that one of the most important reasons to study spiders is to try to figure out how heavy the pulsars are.
• Pulsars are balls made of the densest matter that can be measured.
• Pulsars are also called extreme star remains because they give off such powerful radiation.
• Their beams aren’t lined up with where they turn.
• So, as they move through space, their emissions look like pulses at regular times.
• Scientists think that spider systems form when one star in a binary system grows faster than its partner.
• This makes a pulsar, which is a star that sends out beams of light, including gamma rays.
• On Earth, we can see these gamma rays come and go.
• Each of these spider systems is named after a different kind of spider.
• A black widow system is made up of a pulsar and another star.
• A redback system, on the other hand, has a pulsar and a larger star that orbits around it.
• Astronomers have learned a lot about spider systems by looking at the light they give off.

NASA explains the concept of a Pulsar.

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