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Neutron Stars
-extremely small, extraordinarily massive
-composed purely of neutrons
-neutron degeneracy prevents collapsing
-rotates extremely rapidly
-have very strong magnetic fields
Pulsars
-is a rapidly spinning neutron star that has a mechanism to beam radiation
-mechanism isn't sully understood, but is connected with strong magnetic fields
-some are extremely stable making them the most accurate clock in the world
Pulsars: Lighthouse Model
-2 "hot spots" at the poles of the magnetosphere change particles to extremely high energies so that they emit radiation
-the star then spins and the beam sweeps outward (like lights on a lighthouse)
Neutron Stars and Pulsars
-all pulsars are neutron stars but not all neutron stars are pulsars
1. rotation and magnetic fields diminish over time- pulsars usually gradually diminish
2. vantage point- if the earth isn't in the path of the lighthouse we will not see the pulsing behaviour
Ideas
1. every high mass star dies in a supernova
2. most supernova (type 2) leave a neutron star behind (very large ones may end up in a black hole)
3. all young neutron stars emit radiation
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