there's something called a contact binary star system?!

i was just watching random videos about the universe, then i saw something interesting!! there's a star (actually two). it's called vfts 352! so, here's my research about it. its a contact binary star system which is 160 000 light years away in the tarantula nebula.



these stars are composed of two very hot (40 000 degrees) massive stars of equal size. the stars are so close that their atmospheres overlap. both stars rotate at a rate equal to their orbital period which means they're tidally locked. stars like vfts 352 are thought to be the main producers of oxygen and more.

there are two possible scenarios of this star. if they merge, a rapidly rotating star will be produced. if it keeps spinning rapidly it will probably end in a life long-duration gamma ray burst. in a second hypothetical scenario, the stars would end their lives in supernova explosions, forming a close binary black hole system which i think will merge after years of time.

this was one of the most interesting stars i have heard of, and i wanted you guys to read about it too !!