NASA | What is a Pulsar?

Neutron stars are dense remnants of massive stars, with a teaspoon of their matter weighing as much as Mount Everest. They spin rapidly, with strong magnetic fields that emit electromagnetic radiation, including gamma rays. Pulsars, a type of neutron star, appear to blink due to their rotating beams. As pulsars age, they slow down, but some, known as millisecond pulsars, spin hundreds of times per second due to accretion from a companion star. Despite weaker magnetic fields, these pulsars also emit gamma rays.

What is a neutron star primarily known for?

• Its large size

• Its incredible density

• Its bright color

• Its slow rotation

What is a characteristic feature of neutron stars?

• They are incredibly dense

• They are larger than the sun

• They have weak magnetic fields

• They emit visible light

How do pulsars appear to distant observers?

• As a moving star

• As a constant light

• As a blinking light

• As a fading light

What causes the rapid spin of some of the oldest pulsars?

• Their large size

• Their strong magnetic fields

• Accretion of gas from a companion star

• Their original formation

What might be a reason for the weaker magnetic fields in some pulsars?

• Their rapid spin

• Accretion of gas from a companion star

• Their large size

• Their distance from Earth