The X-ray source Cygnus X-1 has a mass of at least 11 solar masses and a diameter of only about one-quarter the diameter of the Earth. With such a small diameter it must be a compact object, and with such a large mass it can't be a white dwarf or a neutron star, so a black hole is the only possibility remaining. How was the diameter of Cygnus X-1 found

Question

Danna Trevino

Physics

20 October, 14:19

The X-ray source Cygnus X-1 has a mass of at least 11 solar masses and a diameter of only about one-quarter the diameter of the Earth. With such a small diameter it must be a compact object, and with such a large mass it can't be a white dwarf or a neutron star, so a black hole is the only possibility remaining. How was the diameter of Cygnus X-1 found

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Cynthia Yoder · Answer 1

Answer is It was deduced from the rate at which it glimmers.

Refer below.

Explanation:

The X-ray source Cygnus X-1 has a mass of at least 11 solar masses and a diameter of only about one-quarter the diameter of the Earth. With such a small diameter it must be a compact object, and with such a large mass it can't be a white dwarf or a neutron star, so a black hole is the only possibility remaining. The diameter of Cygnus X-1 found:

It was deduced from the rate at which it glimmers.