New Delhi: In a new study recently accepted in The Astrophysical Journal, an international team of scientists has used India’s AstroSat’s full multi-wavelength capabilities to unravel the mysteries of an X-ray binary system hosting a black hole.
An X-ray binary system is a type of binary star system consisting of two celestial objects: a compact object, typically a neutron star or a black hole, and a normal star, often a companion star. The term “X-ray binary” arises because these systems emit a significant amount of X-ray radiation.
AstroSat, equipped with three X-ray payloads and a UV telescope, captured soft and hard X-ray emissions and far ultraviolet radiation, painting a comprehensive portrait of the black hole in the X-ray binary system MAXI J1820+070.Â
This marks a historic achievement for AstroSat, showcasing the first utilisation of its full multi-wavelength capabilities. The collaborative effort includes researchers from India, the United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, and Poland.