Merc and Boffin show an “Unequivocal detection of the tidal deformation of a red giant in a binary system via interferometry” with reconstruction from PIONIER fringes - their Roche-lobe filling model fits better than a symmetric model. An amazing result! 🔭🪐 #astrodon

A teardrop shaped model image of a red giant star, which is a star with a companion that distorts it and makes the star fill the Roche lobe. The lobe is slightly larger than about half the diameter of the star, making it look more like a cam in an engine. The point of the lobe is at the seven o'clock position.
Matthew Kenworthy @kenworthy