Only | Tooru Oikawa

Same my guy

International team of astronomers discovers two rare binary star systems

An international team of astronomers has identified only the second and third examples of a rare type of star system comprising two central stars orbiting each other, encompassed by a remarkable disk of gas and dust.

“If there were a planet in one of these systems, it would be like the planet Tatooine from Star Wars,” says Michael Poon, a Ph.D. student in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and one of two University of Toronto researchers involved in the discovery.

“You would see two suns in the sky orbiting each other. In addition, there’s a disk around the stars. Picture Saturn’s rings but much, much larger—with the stars in the middle.”

Such disks are referred to as protoplanetary disks because they eventually form into families of planets like our solar system. The newly discovered systems are rare because their disks lie at an angle to the orbits of their central stars.

“The discovery of objects like these is important for our understanding of planet formation,” says J.J. Zanazzi, a postdoctoral fellow in the faculty’s Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA). “Planets are born from them so the existence of disks around binary stars shows it’s likely we will find more planets orbiting binaries.

"They’ll also help us understand whether life can exist on a planet that orbits a binary star at an angle because of how that orientation affects temperature and other conditions.”

The discovery of the new objects, designated Bernhard-1 and Bernhard–2, is described in a paper being published July 4 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The lead author is Wei Zhu from Tsinghua University, Beijing, formerly a postdoctoral fellow with the Faculty of Arts & Science’s Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA). Zanazzi and Poon are U of T co-authors.

Bernhard-1 and Bernhard-2 are so distant, we can’t see their two central stars individually (such pairs of stars are known as binary stars). Instead, we only see a single point of light and measure the total brightness of the binary.

The researchers identified the new objects by analyzing the complex and distinctive variations in brightness caused by their unusual geometry. A graph of those variations over time is referred to as a light curve and the light curves of the new systems match that of the first such system ever discovered—an object referred to as Kearns Herbst 15D (KH 15D).

The light curves of Bernhard-1 and Bernhard-2 dip to a fraction of their peak brightness—the former for 112 days every 192 days; the latter for 20 days every 62 days. These dips are the sign that one of the stars in each binary is moving behind the disk as seen from Earth. When the star re-emerges, the brightness of the system returns to normal.

Also, when the co-authors compared recent observations with archival data going back decades, they found that both objects varied in brightness over much longer periods. Previous analysis of KH 15D by Poon, Zhu and Zanazzi, along with the work of other researchers, concluded that this long-term pattern revealed that the disk and stars were at an angle to each other.

Because binary stars and their protoplanetary disks condense from the same vast, spinning cloud of material, the disk typically lies in the same plane as the orbits of the stars—just as the orbits of most of the planets and moons in our solar system lie on the same plane. Imagine two figure skaters, holding hands, twirling around each other while other skaters circle the pair; all are skating on the same plane of the surface of the ice.

But KH 15D, Bernhard-1 and Bernhard-2 are rare in that their circumbinary disks are at an angle to the planes of the orbiting stars. Because of this tilt, the disks wobble like a spinning top, a motion referred to as precession, as they move between us and the stars, causing the light of the central stars to dim. For KH 15D, that cycle of dimming could take anywhere from 60 to 6,000 years.

The two types of variations in brightness combine to create the signature light curve of KH 15D-like objects.

The discovery of Bernhard-1 and Bernhard-2 was made when Klaus Bernhard, an amateur astronomer and member of the Bundesdeutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Veränderliche Sterne, analyzed data from the Zwicky Transient Facility. The ZTF’s instrument surveys the entire northern sky every two days, providing data for countless objects over long stretches of time.

Combing through the data, Bernhard uncovered KH 15D-like candidates. He then shared his findings with Poon, Zanazzi and Zhu whose further analysis revealed Bernhard-1 and Bernhard–2.

Now that the researchers have found two more of these rare celestial objects, they are optimistic more discoveries will follow.

“Just this month, Gaia released its most recent data,” says Zanazzi of the space mission that has been observing a billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy since its launch in 2013. “And now that we have this model for these objects, we’re hopeful we can use it to find more objects to add to the list.”

“We’re also hopeful more observers will look at Bernhard-1 and Bernhard–2 for longer periods,” says Poon. “We’re lucky that KH 15D has been observed at a special time where its orientation causes the light of the central stars to dim. We’re confident that Bernhard-1 and Bernhard-2 also exist in this favorable orientation, so having more observations will increase our understanding of these rare objects.”

IMAGE….Original illustration of protoplanetary disc by Sahl Rowther, et al with binary stars added by Poon, et al. Credit: Poon, Zhu, Zanazzi, U of T; Sahl Rowther, et al, Warwick University

small amnesia drabble ft osamu based on this 9yr old video that still makes me giggle. cw: little violence mention but that’s it.

The hell’s that beeping coming from…

There’s a noticeable restriction in his movement when he slowly begins to stir, lethargy sitting heavy on his limbs as his eyelids pull with visible tension.

Osamu immediately winces. “…Fuckin’ bright…”

Someone gasps at the foot of his bed.

It’s an effort to crane his neck and peek over the footing of his bed, more of an uncomfortable strain than the headache he should expect but what he finds there might just be worth it.

There’s… a cottony to the woman standing before his bed unreserved for anybody else in that typical stark hospital lighting. A fuzzy glow, unburdened by the mussed hairs that stick out of your done up hair or that blue tinge of worry that melts into relief the moment you realize he’s returning eye contact. There’s a few vending machine snacks in your hand that he watches you discard as you step closer to him, and he’s not too shy to blatantly ogle as you take a comfortable seat at his bedside.

That beeping’s gotten a little faster. “You’re up. How do you feel?”

“Dunno…” Though charmed would’a been his second answer.

“Dunno’ s a good answer.” You reply. “Better than what the other guy’s probably saying.”

“The other guy?” There’s not a lot he remembers aside the basic stuff, and you’re definitely not one of ‘em.

“The blow job that tried to hold up your shop last night. Came in swinging this big ass metal bat like you wouldn’t knock his lights out a moment later.” Your smile sparkles as you hum fondly. “Although he did knick you a few times before you could actually get at him.”

Which would explain the thick casting on his arm and the way your fingers softly graze the wrapped gauze on the side of his face. Which in turn makes him blush a little like an overgrown schoolboy.

Although the way your thumb starts to rub circles in his cheek has him breaking out in a sweat. “You saved a lot of people, ‘Samu, me including,” You coo. “But more than anything I’m just glad you’re okay.”

‘S-Samu…?

Your eyes quickly flicker to the quickening heart monitor.

Though when you glance down his face is neutral as ever. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, just…” Osamu swallows. “Just havin’ a hard time connectin’ the dots.”

“Hm? Oh, has the anesthesia not worn off completely yet?”

“Don’t seem like it.”

You nod a little understandingly, straightening your back until you’re fastening your hand in his. “Hmm, that makes sense. I mean, I can’t imagine what they’re pumping you up with after a broken elbow and a few fractured knuckles. - For your sake, they don’t stop too soon,”

Osamu watches you pull his good arm into your lap and hold it there like it belongs to you, and he’s definitely not gonna tell you otherwise. “Although, the quicker we get home the better. At the very least, for some proper rest-“

“Home?”

You tilt your head a bit. “Yeah home? You know, our cozy little shoebox apartment? The one your brother’s definitely not raiding for snacks while you’re gone?”

“Wait, are - we’re…?”

“Baby?”

“Baby.” Ohhkay,” Osamu blows out a disbelieving breath. “Oh, wow. I’m definitely missin’ some important information.”

You furrow as he tilts his head to scan you over a little more. “I hope I’m not misreadin’ this. An’ I hope to god I’m not. - But are we…?”

“Do you not… remember me?”

“I’m pretty beat up about it too, angel.”

“Oh.” You glance at the I.V. still hooked in his wrist. “Yeeaah, that anesthesia has not worn off yet.”

“I’m not misreadin this, right?”

“No. No, you’re not, honey. You’re not.”

“Aye so,” He lifts himself more properly on the hospital bed. “What… the hell does a scrub like me gotta pull off to bag a dime like you, angel? Askin’ that honestly.”

And it looks like an effort not to full out laugh at the genuine confusion on his face. “Straight to the point, huh?”

“I mean, when a guy wakes up to a girlfriend like-“

“Wife.”

“Wi-“ The way he all but gasps to himself has you full out giggling before you can stop yourself. “Yer lyin! Ma wife?!”

The little (see: not little) rock you wave on your ring finger is enough to turn him all but blue, especially when you reach forward to gingerly unveil the matching wedding band hanging from a chain under his hospital gown. “Your wife, baby. Made me a Miya not even a year ago.”

Osamu quietly repeats the admission under his breath as he takes a moment to digest that.

And then he’s turning to you fast enough to break the sound barrier. “Can I kiss ya’?”

You chortle as you lean in, gentle mint pervading his nose. “You’ve been kissing me, baby.”

Osamu’s putty when your lips meet.

Yeah, there’s no way he didn’t die and go to heaven.

reblog for a warm bowl of soup 🍲

been thinking about this for the past half hour.

the comment section is a joke but i got nothing

GOD I wish the minimum wage was a living wage.

I'm not flipping burgers, I'm cleaning litterboxes and doing basic vet care like checking weights, administering medicine, bathing, using IVs, keeping records, making lists, doing photography, and way way more. But the point is even if I was just cleaning litterboxes... I love the work. I wish I could pay rent. Shouldn't I be able to clean litterboxes and feed cats who were rescued from the streets and do that fulfilling wonderful work without wondering where I'm going to live?

Shouldn't someone be able to flip burgers, make art, clean up trash, care for the oceans, teach your children, or rescue animals without being forced to choose between their job and their bills?

What if I don't WANT to climb the ladder and use my degree and search for high stress high pay jobs in order to live? What if I want the high stress job of seeing a kitten crashing below survivable temperature and bringing them back from the brink of death, knowing that I'm the only thing standing between this homeless, unwanted kitten and an early grave?

Shouldn't that be enough? Shouldn't I be able to afford food and rent by doing that?

I don't want to work at a vet office that can give me steady pay increases. I want to work here, with cats who have no owners, nursing them back to health and helping pick their forever home. I want the infrastructure to support me in doing that. I want the laws to say I can and have programs in place to make it so my shelter CAN support me. I want rent to reflect wages. I want wages to reflect rent.

I want to help the world and be able to survive doing it. I want to thrive doing it. I want that for everyone.

whoever is writing my life has got mad writers block bc wtf am i doing

-William Wordsworth

ೀ*: ･ﾟrandom suna texts!

his playlist to you♡

bakugo fluff to heal the soul!

bakugo katsuki was fuming in his seat.

it’s not necessarily strange for him to be doing so, but normally it was due to the antics of kirishima and kaminari that gets him all riled up. this time though? it was you.

it all started the moment you stepped foot into the classroom because as soon as mina noticed you, she was already shouting her heart out at this hour of the morning (not that the time mattered much to bakugo because he wanted her to shut up at all times of the day).

but it was what she said that ticked him off even more.

“y/n! you’ve got an admirer!”

bakugo katsuki had to watch in slow-fucking-motion how your face lit up in a (beautiful) smile that almost had his anger raging as wildly as his explosions because it wasn’t him that was making you smile like that.

it wasn’t his love letter that had you giggling and flustered, it wasn’t his bouquet of flowers that you were fawning over and it wasn’t his box of sweets that you were admiring. only he had the right to make you feel like that. 

bakugo is brought out of his misery with the familiar voice of a certain red-haired. “oi! thought you’d never confess to y/n, finally grew a pair?” kirishima asked, bending down to match the blond’s seated position. 

bakugo scowls harder as he gruffly murmured, “that wasn’t me.”

“oh man! really?” kirishima looked back at your desk, noticing the gentle way that you were handling the gifts, setting them down on the floor beside you. “i guess y/n is popular, better shoot your shot before it’s too late.”

small explosions spark from bakugo’s palms as he screams, “i know, dumbass!” 

for the rest of school he had to witness the dazed, delicate expression you wore, paired with a gentle smile that never seemed to fade from your lips the whole day. he even found you fiddling with the card you received, reading it over for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. 

bakugo could write a better one. 

and if that wasn’t enough, he had to watch the way you held the gifts closely in your arms, cradled protectively to your chest as you tried to preserve their sacredness, hearing about how you were going to ‘put the flowers on my windowsill. they’ll be so pretty!’. 

he was going to blast those stupid floras into pieces, not understanding why you were feeling so special over some stupid extra’s ‘chivalrous’ actions because you deserved far better.

and you better fucking believe that he could make you smile wider than anyone else 

that’s what he did, knocking on your door ferociously the next day, bakugo katsuki was holding an even bigger bouquet of arranged flowers, far more grand than the small one you received yesterday, as well as some of your favourite pastries from the local bakery that you always took him to. and as a card? well, it was him. did you need any more? 

was his heart racing because of nerves or because of spite? he didn’t know.

“coming!” your voice comes from the other side of the door and sure enough, the telltale sign of a door unlocking reaches bakugo’s ears. you greet him with a smile, “oh, hey! bakugo- whoa, that is a big bouquet of flowers.”

“‘s for you,” he grumbles, unable to look away from your expression, gauging for a reaction. you’re silent for a moment before pointing at yourself. 

a weak ‘me?’ slips past your mouth.

“who else, dumbass? you’re the only one worthy of fuckin’ flowers.”

he dumps them in your arms and you gape at him. “wait- was it you that gave me-”

“nope, but you best believe i outdid them.”

you laugh, a sound that bakugo has grown to cherish over the time you’ve spent together. with a softer, adoring look in your eyes, bakugo thinks he’s reached the peak of life as you meet his gaze. “thank you, bakugo,” you say quietly but there’s something in your voice that tells him that you’re trying to keep your giddiness on the low. he can tell in the way that you marvel at the flowers with a wondrous expression, holding them to your heart.

he scoffs, not in a dismissive way, but in a manner of content.

“oi, i’m takin’ you out tomorrow night, on a date.” bakugo tells you and your chest flutters in the way that it always does when you’re around him. “you’re always pretty so i don’t need to tell you this, but dress nice.”

you beam at him and his heart stutters, “‘kay, only for you though.”

“don’t say shit like that!” the blush on bakugo’s face tells you enough as he stomps away.

he’s happy when you send him a picture of his flowers that sit pretty on your windowsill.

NIGHT SHIFT 

a/n: (wc: 1k) gojo x reader, angst, i literally do not know what this is but i was listening to lucy dacus then this happened, not proofread we die like men

Contrary to popular belief, Satoru has never been good with his words. Not when it truly matters, at least.

A silver-tongue when it comes to all forms of mischief, he’s impressive at worming himself out of sticky situations. However, this is all the less impressive when you learn that his quick-witted remarks are usually what get him into those same situations. Oh, the double edged sword that is Gojo Satoru’s way with words.

Sometimes, he’s decent with them. He can convince you to stay in bed with him on those chilly winter mornings, turning five more minutes into twenty and a phone call into work feigning ill. He can persuade you to take a midnight trip to the bakery with him, indulging in sweets that would have your dentist going into cardiac arrest at the mere thought. He can recite the Jujutsu High handbook verbatim with ease, having memorized all of the rules he goes out of his way to ignore and diminish.

Always the loose-lipped loudmouth, it’s safe to say that he says a lot of things. 

On the contrary, one thing the great Gojo Satoru can’t say is I love you. 

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