Stellar Bow Shock (2000)
In some X-ray binary systems matter is transferred from one star to the other via the
donor star's stellar wind. The stellar wind, like the Sun's solar wind, is a steady
stream of particles that blasts away from the star's surface and out into space. But
when another star is present — in this case a neutron star — the latter captures
some of the wind material. The gas forms a bow shock around the compact star,
somewhat like the wake of a boat in water.
