Chinese scientists have discovered a powerful binary system for accelerating cosmic particles:ay observation and research.
According to Qatar News Agency, Cygnus X-3 is a binary system composed of a compact object (either a black hole or a neutron star) and a massive companion star. As the compact object voraciously accretes material from the intense stellar wind of its companion, it accelerates particles to extremely high energies.
Through detailed analysis of the time variability and spectral characteristics of ultra-high-energy gamma rays, LHAASO has confirmed that Cygnus X-3 can accelerate cosmic-ray particles to energies of at least 30 PeV, said principal investigator of LHAASO and an academician of CAS, Cao Zhen. Researchers noted that this discovery opens new avenues for investigating extreme physical processes near compact objects such as black holes. The related findings have recently been published in the journal National Science Review.