Astronomers Detect, Mysterious Star , That Defies Black Hole Theory.
'The Guardian' reports that astronomers
have detected an "overweight" neutron star that
appears to defy current astronomical theories. .
The massive star is the result of
two smaller neutron stars merging.
Under normal circumstances, these types of stellar
collisions result in neutron stars so large that
they almost instantly collapse into black holes. .
The "overweight" star
was visible for more than a day
before fading out of sight. .
Such a massive neutron star with
a long life expectancy is not normally
thought to be possible. It is a mystery
why this one was so long-lived, Dr. Nuria Jordana-Mitjans, astronomer at
the University of Bath, via 'The Guardian'.
'The Guardian' reports that the observation also raises questions regarding the source of short gamma-ray bursts, which are generated by collisions between neutron stars.
Previously, astronomers believed that
these energetic outbursts were created
at the poles of newly-formed black holes.
The most recent observation suggests
that the gamma-ray burst must have
originated in the neutron star itself. .
Neutron stars are the smallest,
densest stars in the universe.
Typically about 12 miles wide, a neutron star
is so dense that just a teaspoon
of material would equal 1 billion tons. .
The new research could reveal insight into the internal
structure of neutron stars, which are assumed to have
a core comprised of some unknown exotic matter.
The team's findings were published
in the 'Astrophysical Journal.'