Astronomical Seal Observatory tracks variable star brightness
The Astronomical Observatory in the United Arab Emirates has successfully monitored notable changes in the brightness of the variable star "GK Beršaous" during an ongoing international observation campaign extending until 2026. Measurements have shown a gradual decrease in the star's luminosity, with periodic fluctuations over short intervals, following a significant increase observed last July. "GK Beršaous" is considered a key system for studying variable stars and has garnered renewed interest since its major explosion in 1901, which made it visible to the naked eye. Its behavior depends on the accumulation of material in a magnetic white dwarf star that interacts with a companion star, leading to variations in brightness. It has been determined that the white dwarf rotates approximately every 5.9 minutes, with an orbital period of about two days, surrounded by a hydrogen envelope, providing valuable data to understand its interaction with the surrounding medium after more than 125 years since its eruption.
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