Astronomers have uncovered ten unusual neutron stars, also known as pulsars, near the heart of the Milky Way. These neutron stars are distinguished by their rapid spinning and peculiar characteristics due to the dense environment of their globular cluster, Terzan 5, located 18,000 light-years from Earth.
Characteristics of the Newly Discovered Pulsars
- Pulsars and Their Properties
- Neutron stars can spin up to 700 times per second.
- They emit beams of radiation from their poles, resembling the beam of a celestial lighthouse.
- Globular Cluster Terzan 5
- Home to hundreds of thousands of stars ranging from 4.5 billion to 12 billion years old.
- Previously, 39 pulsars were known in this cluster, making it one of the Milky Way’s most crowded regions.
- New Discoveries
- Spider Pulsars: These include “Redbacks” and “Black Widows” that destroy nearby stars with high-energy radiation.
- Speed Demon Vampire Star: A neutron star that aggressively consumes its companion stars.
- Double Neutron-Star Binary
- Two neutron stars in a rare double neutron-star binary were discovered.
- These pulsars may spin faster than 716 rotations per second, potentially setting a new record.
Methods of Discovery
- The pulsars were detected using the Green Bank Telescope and the MeerKAT Telescope.
- Observations involved comparing recent data with 20 years of previous data from Terzan 5.
Implications and Future Research
- The variety of pulsars found offers insights into the evolution of pulsars within dense globular clusters.
- The discovery opens avenues for further research and public participation through projects like Einstein@Home.
Publication
- The findings were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary characteristic of pulsars?
- A) They are stars that have exploded as supernovae.
- B) They emit beams of radiation from their poles and can spin up to 700 times per second.
- C) They are remnants of black holes.
- D) They have no observable radiation.
- Which globular cluster is the focus of this discovery?
- A) Omega Centauri
- B) 47 Tucanae
- C) Terzan 5
- D) M13
- What are “spider pulsars” known for?
- A) Their ability to create black holes.
- B) Destroying nearby stars with high-energy radiation.
- C) Emitting light in the visible spectrum only.
- D) Being the oldest pulsars in the Milky Way.
- How many double neutron-star binaries have been discovered in the Milky Way?
- A) 50
- B) 100
- C) 20
- D) 3600
- What was unique about the double neutron-star binary discovered in Terzan 5?
- A) It is the only binary found in this cluster.
- B) It has the potential to spin faster than the current record holder.
- C) It is the oldest known neutron star binary.
- D) It was discovered using only optical telescopes.