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The Question
(Submitted October 02, 2004)
Is it at all possible for a companion star to survive a supernova
explosion? Do any of the binary systems that we know of, where one of
the bodies is a neutron star or black hole, have the original companion
star present, especially where the compact object is near enough to
draw surface gas off the visible star? Or have all these systems simply
come into existence after the explosion and the nebula have
dissapeared?
The Answer
Absolutely. All X-ray binaries have either neutron star or black hole
components. By definition these stars must have experiences a supernova
stage. Either their companions survived the supernova event or were
captured tidally some time later. Certainly these companion stars did
not form close to the compact object after the supernova. Energy from
the compact source would prevent any cold gas from contracting in the
vicinity.
with regards,
Martin Still & Jay Cummings
for "Ask an Astrophysicist"
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