Pulsar Science

Pulsar science studies neutron stars that emit powerful, rapid beams of radio waves and other radiation from their magnetic poles. These stars result from supernova explosions, compressing mass similar to the Sun into a sphere just about 20 kilometers across. As the star spins, its magnetic poles produce focused beams that sweep through space, like lighthouse beams. When these beams cross Earth, they are detected as regular pulses. Pulsars provide insights into extreme physics, gravitational waves, and the life cycles of stars, acting as cosmic laboratories for understanding matter under intense conditions.