Astronomy Picture of the Day · December 12, 1997

Phi Persei: Double Star

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 12, 1997 is “Phi Persei: Double Star,” an image. It is credited to Credit: D. Gies (CHARA, GSU) et. al. Illustration: W. Pounds. The original explanation runs about 190 words.

From the explanation

“It’s clear who is the biggest star in this binary system. Based on recent results , this artist’s vision of the double star Phi Persei , 720 light years away, shows a bright, rapidly rotating massive star surrounded by a disk of gas.”

— APOD editors, December 12, 1997

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: December 12, 1997
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: D. Gies (CHARA, GSU) et. al. Illustration: W. Pounds
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 190 words

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, December 12, 1997 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-1997-december-12-phi-persei-double-star

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.