April 15, 2022

Artist's concept of RS Ophiuchi showing the white dwarf stealing gas from its companion (Image courtesy DESY/H.E.S.S., Science Communication Lab)

An article published in the journal “Nature Astronomy” reports a study of the recurrent nova known as RS Ophiuchi based on the detection of the gamma rays emitted by the last outburst that occurred on the white dwarf part of the pair. MAGIC Collaboration researchers examined data collected by the MAGIC telescopes and concluded that outbursts of that type generate some of the gamma rays present in the Milky Way.