Astrophysicists theorize a new type of neutron star

Bob Yirka is a writer for Phys.org.

The existence of a new type of neutron star has been proposed by two researchers. An exotic type of neutron star could be created if there is a strong magnetic field created during a collision between stars, according to a paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

It has been suggested that a star collapses under its own gravity, setting off a supernova. The remnant neutron star has a high density. If two neutron stars collide, they would create a single object with a mass that is greater than the Tolman limit and collapse into a black hole. The limit only applies to stars that stop rotating. If the new star does spin, it could exist for a while before collapsing to a black hole. The researchers suggest that a star that isn't spinning could persist for a period of time.

If a strong magnetic field is generated as the two stars collide, it could stave off the descension of the single mass into a black hole for as long as several years. The lifetime of such a star would depend on a number of factors, including the strength of the magnetic fields of both stars prior to the collision, their mass and their core temperatures.

The researchers suggest that if such a star came to be, it would have a unique signature consisting of quick blasts of radio waves and X-rays during its initial stage, and then quick blasts of radio waves when its gravity field was fading to the point that it begins collapsing into itself. They note that detecting such signals should be possible with existing equipment and that it could be done in conjunction with searches for the waves from the stars.

More information: Arthur G. Suvorov et al, Magnetically supramassive neutron stars, Physical Review D (2022). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.105.L061302 Journal information: Physical Review Letters , Physical Review D

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