Section: STEM · AstronomyDifficulty: Advanced
Neutron Star
USUK
An extremely dense stellar remnant composed primarily of neutrons, formed after a supernova.
Also: pulsar
Definition
A neutron star is the collapsed core of a massive star that has exploded as a supernova, composed almost entirely of neutrons packed to extraordinary density. With masses between 1.4 and 2 solar masses compressed into a sphere about 20 km in diameter, neutron stars have densities comparable to atomic nuclei. Some neutron stars emit beams of electromagnetic radiation and are observed as pulsars.
Example
“The Crab Nebula pulsar, the neutron star left behind by a supernova observed in 1054 AD, spins 30 times per second, emitting beams of X-rays and radio waves that sweep past Earth like a cosmic lighthouse at that precise frequency.”
Synonyms
- pulsar star
- collapsed stellar core
- degenerate neutron star
Antonyms / Opposites
- black hole
- white dwarf
Images
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