Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Astronomers discovered a neutron star in the 4U 1820-30 binary system that spins 716 times per second, making it one of the fastest-spinning objects in the cosmos, matching only one other known neutron star.
The neutron star's surface experiences frequent and intense thermonuclear explosions, comparable in power to atomic bomb detonations, due to matter accumulating from its binary companion.
NASA’s Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), positioned on the International Space Station, was instrumental in observing these high-energy bursts and measuring the star’s rapid rotation.
The neutron star's partner is a white dwarf that completes an orbit around it every 11 minutes, the shortest orbital period observed in a binary star system.
Observing burst oscillations, which align with the star’s rotation frequency, confirmed the neutron star's 716 Hz spin rate, shedding light on the extreme conditions and behaviours in binary systems.
Neutron stars form from the collapse of massive stars. The extreme density compresses matter to a point where a teaspoon of it on Earth would weigh as much as 85,000 blue whales.
The neutron star's rapid spin is attributed to gravitationally pulling in matter from its companion, which adds angular momentum and powers the thermonuclear reactions.
Studying these high-energy phenomena enhances understanding of neutron star formation and binary star interactions, providing insight into how elements form and behave under extreme conditions. The findings were published in the Astrophysical Journal on October 25, 2024.