Chandra Release - June 6, 2017

Visual Description: R Aquarii

The X-ray and optical image of the binary star system R Aquarii showcases a unique nebulous bird-shaped structure. The image is dominated by a bright white source at the center. There is a crooked worm-shaped blue structure cutting vertically through the white central source. Beyond that there are two wing-like structures in bright red, all on a black background. Chandra X-ray Observatory data (colored in blue) in this composite image reveals a jet of X-ray emission that extends slightly to the upper left. The X-rays have likely been generated by shock waves, similar to sonic booms around supersonic planes, caused by the jet striking surrounding material. R Aquarii is a system containing a white dwarf and a "Mira" variable red giant in orbit around each other and resulting in the nebulous structures around it.