Jocelyn Bell Burnell, discoverer of pulsars, explains her groundbreaking discovery. They discuss neutron stars, the spring night sky, and book recommendations.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell's discovery of pulsars revolutionized our understanding of astrophysics and opened up a new area of study in astronomy.
Studying pulsars has provided insights into extreme conditions and facilitated the testing of fundamental theories in astrophysics, such as Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Deep dives
Jocelyn Bell Burnell's Discovery of Pulsars
Jocelyn Bell Burnell's groundbreaking discovery of pulsars began during her PhD in 1965. While tracking down every signal picked up by her equipment, she encountered one signal that couldn't be explained. Further observations revealed a string of pulses, leading to the identification of the first pulsar. Initially, the nature of the object was uncertain, but subsequent discoveries confirmed that they were neutron stars, incredibly small and densely packed objects formed from the explosion of massive stars. The discovery of multiple pulsars solidified their classification as a distinct class of objects in astrophysics. Jocelyn's persistence and dedication in her research have had a lasting impact in the field of astronomy.
Exploring Neutron Stars and Pulsars
Neutron stars and pulsars are the focus of this podcast episode. Neutron stars, which are incredibly small but incredibly dense, are formed when a massive star explodes at the end of its life. Pulsars, a type of neutron star, emit regular pulses of radiation due to their fast rotation and strong magnetic fields. Their discovery revolutionized our understanding of astrophysics and opened up a new area of study. The episode features an interview with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discusses her role in discovering pulsars in the 1960s and the subsequent developments in the field of pulsar research. The importance of diversity in science and the need for more opportunities for underrepresented groups, especially in STEM fields, is also highlighted.
The Significance of Pulsar Discoveries
The discovery of pulsars has had profound implications in astrophysics and our understanding of the universe. Pulsars represent a unique class of objects, providing insights into extreme conditions such as high density, strong magnetic fields, and rapid rotation. Studying pulsars has shed light on phenomena such as gravitational waves and the formation of heavy elements. These compact stellar remnants, with their regular pulses of radiation, act as cosmic beacons, facilitating navigation in space and serving as valuable tools for testing fundamental theories like Einstein's theory of general relativity. Pulsars continue to be a fascinating and important area of study in astronomy.
Stargazing Tips for the Month
For stargazers, April offers several celestial delights. Ursa Major, with its distinctive 'plow' pattern, dominates the night sky and serves as a guide to locate other objects. Spring is an ideal time for galaxy hunting, particularly in the region near Virgo, which contains many faint but observable galaxies. Mars will be in close proximity to the open cluster Messier 35 in late April, making for an appealing target for astrophotographers. Additionally, a recent meteorite near Gloucestershire has sparked excitement, and its debris field has been recovered, setting the stage for further exploration. Amateur astronomers are encouraged to keep an eye out for the Nova in Cassiopeia, which can be visible with binoculars. As always, astrophotographers are invited to share their captures with the community, amplifying the magic of stargazing.
"I was tracking down every signal that it picked up, and there was one signal that I couldn't make sense of."
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell gives Izzie and Dr Becky a neutron star 101 and tells them how she discovered pulsars in the 1960s. Plus, Dr Robert Massey takes on your questions and tells us what to look out for in the spring night sky.
Book Club Recommendations
Forgotten Women: The Scientists - Zing Tsjeng
Six Impossible Things - John Gribbin
The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) - Katie Mack
Vera Rubin: A Life - Jacqueline and Simon Mitton
Cosmos - Carl Sagan
The Book Nobody Read - Owen Gingerich
Don't forget to send your questions or space book club recommendations to podcast@ras.ac.uk or tweet @RoyalAstroSoc using #RASSupermassive.
The Supermassive Podcast is a Boffin Media Production by Izzie Clarke and Richard Hollingham.
