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[The Sun]
Viewed via visible light, the Sun appears to be a globe with a smooth and luminous surface. By contrast, X-rays show that it has a dynamic corona.
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![The Sun Visible light Photo](img/photo2_1_e.jpg) |
![The Sun X-rays Photo](img/photo2_2_e.jpg) |
[The Virgo cluster]
Visible light allows us to spot galaxies as clear dots in the sky; X-rays show hot gas surrounding the galaxies. |
![The Virgo cluster Visible light Photo](img/photo2_3_e.jpg) |
![The Virgo cluster X-rays Photo](img/photo2_4_e.jpg) |
[Sirius]
Sirius A is a bright fixed star easily observed with visible light. The luminous star observed with X-rays is Sirius B, a white dwarf star. It is an extremely dense star, about the same size as the Earth but as heavy as the Sun. X-ray observation makes Sirius B appear to be more luminous because it is extremely hot. Sirius B is heated to a temperature of millions of degrees Celsius by the friction created when it sucks in gas emitted by Sirius A and accelerated in the process.
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![Sirius Visible light Photo](img/photo2_5_e.jpg) |
![Sirius X-rays Photo](img/photo2_6_e.jpg) | <>< mce_serialized="2">
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