Beta LyraeBeta Lyrae or Sheliak is the prototype of an eclipsing binary with mass transfer from one (A) to the other (B) star. The once much bigger A star wants to grow to become a giant. Thereby it fills its Roche volume and its hull gets sucked up by star B. Thus the latter enormously increases its mass.Although star B shines brighter, we see almost only the glowing of Beta Lyrae A, because the other is surrounded by an absorbing gas and dust cloud. Constellation: Lyra Distance: 880 light-years Visual magnitude A and B: 3.34 - 4.34 Space between Beta Lyrae A and B: 0.28 AU Orbit period of Beta Lyrae A and B: 12.94 days
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