"TESS Discovers Rare Type of Cataclysmic Variable System"
Astronomers using NASA's TESS have discovered a new cataclysmic variable system called TIC 378898110, which is an AM Canum Venaticorum (AM CVn) binary star. AM CVn systems are rare and consist of a white dwarf accreting helium-dominated matter from a degenerate or semi-degenerate donor star. TIC 378898110 is the third-brightest known AM CVn and has an orbital period of 22-23 minutes. The system recently underwent a brightening event, and its dominant photometric period decreased during this time.