Wild Star Spinning at an Incredible 716 Times Per Second

Neutron Star Spins at Unbelievable Speed

A neutron star located 27,400 light-years away is exhibiting one of the most remarkable rotational speeds ever observed.

In the binary system 4U 1820-30, this dead star spins so rapidly around its axis that it completes an astounding 716 rotations per second. This marks the fastest spin observed, with the only other star known to spin at this speed being the famous pulsar PSR J1748-2446ad.

According to astrophysicist Gaurava Jaisawal of the Technical University of Denmark and his team, this discovery supports the theoretical upper limit for neutron star spin, which is believed to be around 730 rotations per second.

Jaisawal explains, “We were originally studying thermonuclear explosions from this system when we detected remarkable oscillations.”

Potential for 4U 1820-30 to Become One of the Fastest Spinning Stars

If further observations confirm these findings, the 4U 1820-30 neutron star will become one of the fastest-spinning objects ever observed in the universe.

Neutron stars represent the final evolutionary phase of massive stars. When a star with a mass between 8 and 30 times that of the Sun exhausts its nuclear fuel, it undergoes a supernova explosion, ejecting its outer layers.

The remaining core collapses under gravity, forming a neutron star. This dense object, with a mass between 1.1 and 2.3 times the Sun’s mass, has a radius of only about 20 kilometers (12 miles).

Neutron stars display fascinating behaviors. Magnetars have extremely powerful magnetic fields, while pulsars, like this one, spin rapidly and emit beams of radio waves, creating a pulsing effect similar to a cosmic lighthouse.

4U 1820-30’s Close Binary Orbit and Feeding Mechanism

4U 1820-30, discovered in the 1980s, is a binary system in the constellation Sagittarius. It consists of a neutron star and a white dwarf star orbiting each other in a very tight orbit, completing one cycle every 11.4 minutes.

Due to their close proximity, the neutron star can “feed” off its companion, stripping material away, which then accumulates on the neutron star’s surface. This material builds up, increasing both temperature and density until it triggers a thermonuclear explosion.

Jaisawal and his team studied these explosions using NASA’s Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), an X-ray telescope mounted on the International Space Station.

Astrophysicist Jerome Chenevez of the Technical University of Denmark explains, “During these bursts, the neutron star becomes up to 100,000 times brighter than the sun, releasing enormous amounts of energy.”

The team recorded 15 thermonuclear explosions between 2017 and 2022. While analyzing the data, they noticed one explosion had an unusual signature—an oscillation at 716 Hertz, which indicated that the star was likely rotating as it erupted.

This could suggest that the 4U 1820-30 neutron star is an X-ray pulsar, with a period of 716 rotations per minute, driven by thermonuclear explosions. If confirmed, this would make it the fastest known nuclear-powered pulsar, surpassing PSR J1748-2446ad.

Additional observations will be needed to verify this hypothesis. If proven true, the discovery would provide new insights into neutron stars and their extreme behaviors before they reach the point of self-destruction.

Read the origina article on: Science Alert

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