Recent research has revealed a new way to detect quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in X-ray binaries, which are binary star systems that emit X-rays. This new method, called NICER-QPO, would allow astronomers to observe and study QPOs in unprecedented detail.

QPOs are periodic fluctuations in the X-ray intensity of X-ray binaries. These fluctuations are usually very small and can be difficult to detect, so astronomers have been searching for a new way to detect and study them.

Now, a team of researchers has developed a new method called NICER-QPO, which helps astronomers to detect QPOs more easily. This method uses data from NASA’s Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission, which is designed to study the structure of neutron stars. By analyzing the data from NICER, the researchers were able to identify QPOs in X-ray binaries with much greater accuracy than before.

The researchers believe that this new method will revolutionize the way we study X-ray binaries and QPOs. With NICER-QPO, astronomers will be able to observe and study QPOs in unprecedented detail, unlocking

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source: Phys.org