Astronomers measured neutron star jets, reaching one-third light speed. They utilized X-ray bursts to time the jet launch.
If they can determine how jet speeds vary with the mass or spin of the neutron star, that would provide a powerful test of theoretical predictions.For the first time, astronomers have clocked how fast neutron stars drive powerful jets into space.
The energy output of these jets can affect the evolution of an entire galaxy or even a galaxy cluster, making jets a critical and intriguing component of the universe. However, measuring jet speeds is extremely challenging. “When we measure speeds on Earth, we time an object between two points for example a 100-metre sprinter running down the track,” Miller-Jones explained.
Neutron stars can accumulate matter from nearby companion stars. As the material accumulates, it becomes hotter and denser, leading to a thermonuclear explosion. This nuclear fusion reaction can last from seconds to minutes. It spreads fast to completely envelop the entire star, resulting in a brief but intense flare-up of X-rays.
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