Recent studies have provided precise measurements of the nearest millisecond pulsar, PSR J0437-4715, revealing that it has a radius of 11.4 kilometers and a mass 1.4 times that of the Sun.
The study, led by a team from the University of Amsterdam, provides deeper insight into the neutron star’s composition and magnetic field.
Accurate measurements and innovative technology
PSR J0437-4715 Rotate Neutron Star It is located about 510 light years from Earth in the constellation Crocus. It rotates 174 times per second and has a white dwarf star as its companion. Pulsar It emits a beam of radio waves and X-rays towards Earth every 5.75 milliseconds, making it the closest and most luminous millisecond pulsar known.
To achieve these precise measurements, the team NICER X-ray Telescope Get on International Space Station (ISS) Applied pulse profile modelling involving complex statistical models processed on the Dutch national supercomputer Snellius.
The researchers X-ray data Combined with mass measurements obtained by Daniel Reardon and colleagues at the Parks Pulsar Timing Array, they Star Radius And the map Temperature distribution of the magnetic poles. “Previously, we had hoped to be able to calculate the radius accurately, and it would be great to be able to show that the hot magnetic poles are not diametrically opposed to each other on the star’s surface, and we’ve been able to do both,” said lead researcher Devarshi Choudhury.
Utilization NICER Data This was crucial for this study because it provided the precise timing needed to analyse the pulsar’s pulse profile. The data revealed hot spots, regions of the pulsar. Where X-rays are emitted Due to the strong magnetic field, they are not arranged symmetrically, and this asymmetry has provided new challenges and insights for modeling. The interior of a neutron star.
Insights into the composition and behavior of neutron stars
New Measurement Results PSR J0437-4715 The results suggest a “softer equation of state” than previously thought, suggesting that the maximum mass of a neutron star must be lower than some theories predict, which is consistent with gravitational wave observations. “And that fits nicely with what the gravitational wave observations seem to suggest,” explained neutron star expert Anna Watts of the University of Amsterdam.
These findings: Matter inside neutron stars Superdense matter is less dense and more compressible than previously thought, which has implications for our understanding of the properties of superdense matter that cannot be replicated in Earth-based laboratories. Neutron star radiusCombined with its mass, this helps physicists constrain the equations of state that describe how matter behaves at the extreme densities found in neutron stars.
In this study, PSR J0437-4715 The anomaly in the magnetic alignment could have implications for our understanding of the magnetic field and temperature distribution of stars, as the magnetic poles are not diametrically opposed to each other, providing new insights into the distribution of the star’s magnetic field and temperature. Magnetic Field Dynamics and internal structure Neutron star. Mapping the temperature distribution across the pulsar’s surface will further our understanding of the thermal processes occurring within these dense objects.
Implications for understanding neutron star physics
This study Millisecond Pulsar, This work contributes to a deeper understanding of these fascinating objects. Future research will explore further the relationship between the equation of state of neutron stars and their mass-radius, and papers will be published focusing on other massive pulsars and their properties.
The findings of this study have important implications for our understanding. Neutron Star and the extreme physics that govern their behavior. Refining knowledge about the masses and radii of these stars allows scientists to better understand the limits of neutron star stability and the fundamental properties of matter under extreme conditions. This research also helps develop more accurate models of neutron star behavior, which is essential for interpreting observations such as those made by gravitational wave detectors. LIGO and Virgo.
Accurate measurements PSR J0437-4715 “This research, delivered by a team from the University of Amsterdam, marks a major advance in neutron star research. These discoveries not only improve our understanding of this particular pulsar, but also advance our knowledge of some of the most extreme objects in the Universe and contribute to the broader field of astrophysics.” Nicer And supercomputers underscore the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in unlocking the mysteries of the universe.
