S-Cam images of a binary star system
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S-Cam was used to observe a binary star system, known as UZ For, in which a white dwarf passes behind a red star. As the image dims, so the
colour changes from blue to red indicating that the light is being absorbed by material streaming from the red star down onto a spot on the white dwarf. The precise time of this dimming allows the astronomers to determine the size and location of the spot on the white dwarf even though
the star is many light-years from Earth.
Last Update: 1 September 2019