Explore the fascinating world of pulsars and magnetars, neutron stars with unique characteristics and extreme phenomena, in this episode of 'Easy Physics'.
Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation from their magnetic poles, forming regular pulses of radiation as they rotate.
Magnetars have the strongest magnetic fields in the universe, causing starquakes and powerful bursts of x-rays and gamma rays, and their study challenges our understanding of physics and compact stellar remnants.
Deep dives
Pulsars: Rapidly rotating neutron stars emitting focused beams of radiation
Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation from their magnetic poles. These beams appear as regular pulses of radiation as the neutron star rotates. Pulsars are formed when the core of a massive star collapses during a supernova explosion, resulting in a concentrated magnetic field. The rapid rotation of the star, combined with the intense magnetic field, causes the emission of focused beams of electromagnetic radiation. These pulses are often observed in the form of radio waves.
Magnetars: Neutron stars with the strongest magnetic fields and intense bursts of radiation
Magnetars are neutron stars with the strongest magnetic fields in the universe. Their magnetic fields are billions of times stronger than any man-made magnet. The intense magnetic field can cause the crust of the neutron star to crack, resulting in starquakes and powerful bursts of x-rays and gamma rays. Magnetars are known for being some of the most powerful sources of electromagnetic radiation in the universe. Their study provides valuable insights into the extreme conditions of the universe and challenges our understanding of physics and compact stellar remnants.
Get a monthly subscription to access premium episodes!
'Easy Physics' is a podcast that delves into the bizarre and fascinating world of this amazing science. Join us as we use humor and plain language to explore many fundamental principles, and learn about each one of them in a few minutes. From particles that exist in multiple places at once to the immensity of the cosmos, we'll take a lighthearted look at the most mind-bending concepts in physics.