Dying StarsPart 1
Neutron Stars
• Supernovas make some pretty “remanants” also.
• The Crab Nebula was seen in 1054 CE
• It has a Neutron Star in the center – in addition to blinking on and off – it also gives a radio sound. (Pulsar)
• Pulsars– When a large mass star ends its life in an
explosion – a supernova – the core of the star goes on to form one of two things – a Black Hole (if the star’s mass was high) or a Neutron Star – if the mass was a bit lower.
– The Neutron Star (and the Black Hole) will be spinning. IF the orientation of the spin axis, and magnetic fields – line up correctly – we can hear them in the Radio – they are Pulsars.
• The first Pulsar was discovered by Jocelyn Bell.
• She was a Student whenshe found thePulsar, so herprofessor gotmost of the Credit. Most people now giveher the credit.
• Sounds of Pulsars – Rapidly Spinning Neutron Stars
Crab – Supernova in 1054 AD - ~ 30 rotations/sec
PSR J0437-4715 an old pulsar ~ 174 rotations/sec
PSR B0329 + 54 period=.714519 sec. 1.40 rotations/sec
PSR B1937+21 Fastest Known – Period=.00155780644887275 sec ~642 rotations/sec the surface of the star is going about 1/7 the speed of light
Vela – 10,000 years old – 89 millisecond – 11 rotations/sec