Astronomy 1021 Lecture : Neutron Stars
15 Feb 2012
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Document Summary
Neutron star is ball of neutrons left behind by the collapse of the iron core in massive star sne. Evidence for formation from neutrinos from supernova explosions. Just like wd, gravity is resisted by degeneracy pressure however, since there are no electrons in neutron stars, this time it is the neutrons that are closely packed together. More massive than the sun, size of a city (typically only 10km in radius) and extremely compact and dense objects. A paper clip with neutron star density would outweigh mount everest. Strong gravity causes escape velocity at the surface of the neutron star to be about half the speed of light. Precise properties are somewhat unknown and it is difficult to recreate those conditions in the lab. Jocelyn bell in 1967 saw strange pulses of radio waves were arriving from somewhere near the direction of the constellation cygnus at regular intervals of 1. 337301 seconds.
