All articles tagged with #neutron star
Physicists modeling collapsing neutron stars find that, under extreme gravity, entropy could decrease in their equations, effectively implying time might run backward in that context—a mathematical insight into the arrow of time rather than a real, observable reversal.
NASA’s Fermi detected gamma rays from the luminous core-collapse supernova SN 2017egm (NGC 3191, about 440 million light-years away), supporting the idea that a newborn magnetar—an ultra‑magnetized neutron star—powers the explosion. A magnetar wind nebula and related particle interactions could boost gamma-ray production and reprocess energy into visible light, explaining the unusually bright display; gamma rays begin to leak out as debris expands, with the early light curve matching models though late-time fading remains puzzling. The study also notes the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array could detect similar events up to ~500 million light-years, advancing understanding of magnetar engines. The work appeared in Astronomy & Astrophysics on May 20, 2026.
Scientists suspect a rapidly spinning, highly magnetic neutron star (a pulsar) sits near the Milky Way’s center. A Breakthrough Listen radio survey with the Green Bank Telescope (2021–2023) found a single pulsar candidate, BLPSR, around 122 rotations per second. If confirmed, such a pulsar orbiting Sagittarius A* could serve as a precise cosmic clock to test general relativity in the extreme gravity near the galaxy’s supermassive black hole, though the Galactic Center is notoriously hard to survey. Future facilities like ngVLA and SKA could help determine how many pulsars truly populate the core.
Scientists have detected the 'heartbeat' of a newborn magnetar within a gamma-ray burst, revealing that some GRBs are powered by magnetars rather than black holes, which challenges previous understanding and opens new avenues for cosmic research.
Astronomers using the XRISM spacecraft observed powerful, unexpectedly dense winds from a neutron star's accretion disk, revealing differences from black hole winds and offering new insights into the physics of matter inflow and outflow around extreme objects, which could reshape our understanding of cosmic energy transfer.
The XRISM mission has discovered that the winds from a neutron star system are unexpectedly dense and slower than those from supermassive black holes, challenging current understanding of how such winds form and influence their environments. The findings suggest that differences in accretion disc temperature and size may explain the variations, providing new insights into cosmic feedback mechanisms and galaxy evolution.
A record-breaking fast radio burst named RBFLOAT was detected by the CHIME telescope, originating from a galaxy 130 million light-years away, and precisely localized using an array of outriggers, providing new insights into the origins of such cosmic phenomena, likely linked to magnetars.
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and radio data reveal new insights into the pulsar wind nebula MSH 15-52, a young, powerful nebula formed by a supernova explosion, with features that challenge current understanding of high-energy particle interactions and magnetic fields in space.
Astronomers have observed over a dozen glitches and regular cycles in the rotation of the pulsar PSR J0922+0638 over 22 years, revealing complex and not fully understood physics involving its magnetic fields or internal superfluid dynamics.
Astronomers have discovered a unique, blinking cosmic object named CHIME J1634+44, exhibiting unusual periodic radio signals and polarization, likely involving a neutron star or white dwarf, challenging existing models and hinting at more such objects in the universe.
Astronomers have discovered a unique and mysterious dead star called CHIME J1634+44, dubbed the 'cosmic unicorn,' which challenges current understanding due to its unusual properties, including increasing spin rate, circular polarization of radio bursts, and potential binary system, prompting new questions in astrophysics.
NASA's X-ray spacecraft revealed that radiation from the rapidly spinning neutron star PSR J1023+0038 is mainly influenced by its powerful particle winds rather than material from its companion star, with observations showing the highest polarization levels ever detected from such a system, providing new insights into pulsar behavior.
NASA's IXPE telescope helped scientists discover that X-rays from the rare pulsar system PSR J1023+0038 originate from the pulsar wind, challenging previous models and providing new insights into neutron star environments and particle acceleration.
Astronomers have discovered a distant star, ASKAP J1832−0911, 15,000 light years away, emitting mysterious radio and X-ray signals with unusual behavior, including a 44-minute pulse and dramatic fading over six months, challenging existing classifications of stellar objects and potentially transforming our understanding of the universe.
Scientists used advanced computer simulations to model the final moments of a neutron star being consumed by a black hole, revealing that the star's surface cracks like an egg and emits detectable radio signals, including fast radio bursts, as it is torn apart, potentially allowing astronomers to observe these violent cosmic events.