SS 433

SS 433 is an eclipsing binary star system, notable for being one of the most exotic and best-studied examples of a microquasar. Located in the supernova remnant W50, SS 433 consists of a compact object, likely a black hole or a neutron star, accreting material from a massive companion star. The system is approximately 18,000 light-years away.

What sets SS 433 apart is the presence of two relativistic jets of plasma ejected from the vicinity of the compact object at approximately 26% the speed of light. These jets precess with a period of roughly 162 days, creating a corkscrew-like pattern as they propagate through space. The precession of the jets is responsible for the characteristic shifting of spectral lines, which led to the system's initial discovery.

The jets emit strongly in radio, optical, and X-ray wavelengths, providing valuable information about the physical processes occurring in extreme environments near black holes and neutron stars. The interaction of the jets with the surrounding supernova remnant W50 has created a distinctive morphology, with the remnant elongated along the direction of the jets.

SS 433 has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of accretion disks, relativistic jets, and the interaction between compact objects and their environments. Its relatively close proximity and high luminosity make it a prime target for multi-wavelength observations.

The name SS 433 comes from its entry in the Stephenson-Sanduleak catalog of emission-line stars.