Neutron Stars
Neutron stars are incredibly dense remnants of massive stars that have exploded in supernova events. When a star runs out of nuclear fuel, it collapses under its own gravity, causing protons and electrons to combine into neutrons. The result is a compact object, typically about 1.4 times the mass of the Sun squeezed into a sphere the size of a city. Neutron stars have intense gravitational and magnetic fields and can emit powerful beams of radiation. They are key in understanding extreme states of matter, nuclear interactions, and the formation of elements in the universe.
Additional Insights
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Neutron stars are incredibly dense remnants of massive stars that have exploded in supernovae. After a star runs out of fuel, it collapses under its own gravity, compressing its core into a small sphere, typically about 20 kilometers wide but containing more mass than the Sun. This compression transforms protons and electrons into neutrons, leading to a star made almost entirely of neutrons. Neutron stars have strong gravitational and magnetic fields, and some emit beams of radiation, appearing as pulsars when these beams sweep past Earth. They are among the densest objects in the universe, second only to black holes.
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Neutron stars are extremely dense remnants of massive stars that have undergone supernova explosions. After exhausting their nuclear fuel, the core collapses under gravity, compressing protons and electrons into neutrons. As a result, a typical neutron star packs about twice the mass of the Sun into a sphere roughly the size of a city. This creates immense gravitational and magnetic fields. Neutron stars can rotate rapidly and emit beams of radiation, sometimes observed as pulsars. Their unique properties make them fascinating subjects for astrophysical research and help enhance our understanding of the universe's fundamental forces.