Cygnus X-1

Cygnus X-1 is a well-known binary star system in the constellation Cygnus, consisting of a massive blue supergiant star and a black hole. Discovered in the 1960s, it emits X-rays as matter from the star is pulled towards the black hole, creating a swirling disk of gas. This process generates intense radiation, making Cygnus X-1 one of the strongest X-ray sources in the sky. It plays a significant role in astrophysics, helping scientists understand black holes and the dynamics of such systems in the universe. Its study has advanced our knowledge of stellar evolution and gravitational forces.