Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Symbiotic R Aquarii

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 5, 2022 is “Symbiotic R Aquarii,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: X-ray: NASA / CXC /SAO/R. Montez et al.; Optical: Data: NASA/ ESA / STScI , Processing: Judy Schmidt (CC BY-NC-SA). The original explanation runs about 191 words.

Symbiotic R Aquarii
Credit: Image Credit: X-ray: NASA / CXC /SAO/R. Montez et al.; Optical: Data: NASA/ ESA / STScI , Processing: Judy Schmidt (CC BY-NC-SA) Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Variable star R Aquarii is actually an interacting binary star system, two stars that seem to have a close symbiotic relationship. Centered in this space-based optical/x-ray composite image it lies about 710 light years away.”

— APOD editors, February 5, 2022

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
February 5, 2022
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: X-ray: NASA / CXC /SAO/R. Montez et al.; Optical: Data: NASA/ ESA / STScI , Processing: Judy Schmidt (CC BY-NC-SA)
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 191 words

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Source

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.