Stellar vampirism

See also: Mass transfer § Astrophysics, Roche lobe § Mass transfer, and Binary star § Mass transfer and accretion

Stellar vampirism is an astronomical phenomenon in which a star (usually O-type), known as a "vampire star," in a binary system attracts the mass of another.[1][2] As stars age in binary systems, they can grow past the threshold at which their gravity protects them from their companion.[1] The process of stellar vampirism results in the "vampire star" having an extended life. The "victim" star is left with its core exposed, which mimics the appearance of a much younger star. An example of a star system exhibiting stellar vampirism is HR 6819.[2][3][4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Dunham, Will (2022-03-02). "Stellar 'vampire' finds love at first bite with companion star". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  2. ^ a b Denise Chow (2012-07-26). "Most Massive Stars Live as Vampires in Close Stellar Pairs". Space. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  3. ^ information@eso.org. "The Brightest Stars Don't Live Alone - VLT finds most stellar heavyweights come in interacting pairs". www.eso.org. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  4. ^ information@eso.org. "Stellar Vampires Unmasked - VLT Presents Evidence for Mass Transfer as Origin of some Blue Straggler Stars". www.eso.org (in Swedish). Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  5. ^ published, Robert Lea (2023-11-21). "'Stellar vampires' may feed on hidden stars in their systems". Space. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  • Media related to Stellar vampirism at Wikimedia Commons


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