Hubble Separates Stars in the Mira Binary System

ABOUT THIS IMAGE:

In UV light, Hubble resolves a small hook-like appendage extending from Mira, in the direction of the companion that could be material from Mira being gravitationally drawn toward the smaller star. Alternately, it could be that material in Mira's upper atmosphere is being heated due to the companion's presence.

Object Names: Mira A, Omicron Ceti

Image Type: Astronomical

Credit: Margarita Karovska (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) and NASA

NEWS RELEASE IMAGES

The above image is part of a montage:

Montage Image: The Mira Binary System: A Red Giant Star and Its Hot Companion Image Type: Astronomical/Annotated PRC1997-26 Red Giant Star Mira and Its Companion Image Type: Astronomical Red Giant Star Mira's Football Shape Image Type: Astronomical

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