PSR B1937+21

PSR B1937+21 is a pulsar, which is a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits beams of radiation. Discovered in 1982, it spins incredibly fast, completing a rotation approximately every 1.557 milliseconds, making it one of the fastest pulsars known. As it spins, its beams sweep across space like a lighthouse, allowing us to detect its signals when they point toward Earth. Studying PSR B1937+21 helps scientists understand fundamental physics, including gravity and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions. Additionally, it serves as a precise cosmic clock for testing theories of relativity.