Neutron Star Formation

Neutron Star Formation

• Neutron stars form following a supernova, resulting in smaller and denser remnants of massive stars.
• A neutron star originates from a star that was 4-8 times the mass of the Sun, which undergoes a core collapse after nuclear fusion ceases.
• The core's collapse allows protons and electrons to combine, creating neutrons, hence the name "neutron star."

Neutron Star Characteristics

• Neutron stars measure about 12 miles in diameter but possess a mass several times greater than the Sun.
• They are among the universe's densest objects; a single teaspoon can weigh millions of tons on Earth.
• The relationship between mass and size is counterintuitive—greater mass leads to a smaller size.

Star Evolution

• Stars larger than about 8 times the Sun’s mass may become black holes due to extreme density and gravitational forces.
• Stars too small, similar in size to our Sun, end as white dwarfs, lacking the density to undergo neutron star evolution.

Pulsars

• Pulsars are a type of neutron star characterized by rotation, giving them a blinking appearance to observers on Earth.
• This blinking effect occurs as they emit beams of radiation, analogous to a lighthouse, appearing and disappearing as they spin.
• New neutron stars that still have enough energy to spin are known as pulsars, which eventually cease their rotation over millions of years.
• An estimated 1,000 pulsars exist in the universe, whereas there are millions of neutron stars overall.