Astronomers study Serpens X-1's X-ray properties and bursts

Astronomers have conducted X-ray polarimetric and spectral observations of the low-mass X-ray binary Serpens X-1, located 25,000 light years away. Published on August 29, findings include a polarization degree of less than 2.0% and the detection of four type I X-ray bursts. The study also confirmed a broad iron line in the spectrum, indicating iron abundance five times that of the Sun.