Short Wave
This Radio Wave Mystery Changed Astronomy
Feb 26, 2025
Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a pioneering astrophysicist, revolutionized astronomy in 1967 with her discovery of pulsars—radio signals from dying stars. In this conversation, she shares the challenges and triumphs of her groundbreaking work. Jocelyn discusses the incredible density of neutron stars and the path that led her to radio astronomy. She reveals how pulsars act as cosmic lighthouses and reflects on her journey in a male-dominated field, highlighting both personal struggles and professional victories.
12:18
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Quick takeaways
- Jocelyn Bell Burnell's groundbreaking discovery of pulsars in 1967 transformed astrophysics by enabling precise measurements of cosmic distances and gravitational waves.
- The ongoing exploration of pulsars continues to push the boundaries of astronomy, offering potential for unexpected findings that deepen our understanding of the universe.
Deep dives
The Lifecycle of Stars
Stars undergo significant changes at the end of their lifecycles, especially larger ones. Massive stars, over 20 times the mass of our sun, can collapse into black holes, while those slightly smaller can become neutron stars. Neutron stars have extremely dense cores, where protons and electrons have fused into neutrons due to immense pressure, resulting in a tiny, rapidly spinning mass about 10 miles in diameter. Their intense gravitational and magnetic fields enable the generation of radio waves, allowing astronomers to detect them as pulsars, despite their faint light.
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