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A White Dwarf Swirling Space-Time Around It Allows Astronomers Brand New Insights

A concept called frame-dragging from Einstein's relativity gives scientists a new look into a whirling white dwarf.

By Alison Klesman
Jan 30, 2020 8:30 PMJan 30, 2020 8:52 PM
pulsar white dwarf
In this artist's concept, a white dwarf (larger object) distorts and drags space-time around it, affecting the orbit of its neutron star companion. (Credit: ESO/L. Calçada)

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Einstein’s theory of relativity has many strange consequences. Time moves slower for those traveling at high speeds, and massive objects like the Sun deform the space-time in which they sit, causing light to “bend” around them.

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