Ohio State University astronomers and their colleagues have discovered a new type of star system, one that may be the progenitor of a rare type of supernova. The star system is called a “yellow supergiant eclipsing binary” -- it contains two very bright, massive yellow stars that are very closely orbiting each other. In fact, the stars are so close together that a large amount of stellar material is shared between them, so that the shape of the system resembles a peanut. Image by Kevin Gecsi, courtesy of Ohio State University.

The galaxy M81, in an image taken by Ohio State University astronomers and their colleagues using the Large Binocular Telescope. The dwarf galaxy Holmberg IX, seen here to the upper left of M81, is the site of the newly discovered star system. Image courtesy of Ohio State University.

Ohio State University astronomers and their colleagues took this image of the dwarf galaxy Holmberg IX with the Large Binocular Telescope. The arrow indicates the approximate location of the newly discovered star system. Image courtesy of Ohio State University.

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