Researchers have made the unprecedented discovery of a vampire star in the star cluster M67 in the constellation Cancer that is rejuvenating itself by sucking matter from its companion. The study provides rare insight into the binary star evolution process and a crucial missing link in the rejuvenation of these stars.
The star bears the chemical imprint of barium-rich material recently absorbed from its binary companion and clearly traces emissions from the dead-remnant of its companion. Key to this discovery was data from the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope on board India's first dedicated space observatory, AstroSat. The discovery, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, is a crucial missing link in the rejuvenation of these stars and provides rare insights into the binary star evolution process.