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Astronomers have discovered an unclassifiable celestial object, possibly discovering a new type of cosmic entity at the frontier of known physics. Sometimes astronomers encounter objects in the sky
Astronomers have discovered an unclassifiable celestial object, possibly discovering a new type of cosmic entity at the frontier of known physics. Sometimes astronomers encounter objects in the sky that we cannot easily explain. In our new study published ScienceWe report one such discovery that is likely to generate controversy and speculation.
Neutron stars are among the densest objects in the universe. As compact as an atomic nucleus but as large as a city, these substances push the limits of our understanding of extreme matter. The heavier a neutron star is, the more likely it is to eventually collapse into something even denser: a black hole.
These astrophysical objects are so dense and their gravitational pull so strong that their cores (whatever they are) are forever shielded from the universe by event horizons (perfectly dark surfaces from which no light can escape).
If we are to understand the physics at the tipping point between neutron stars and black holes, we must find objects at this boundary. We must find objects where we can make accurate measurements, especially over long periods of time. And that’s exactly what we found: an object that is clearly neither a neutron star nor a black hole.
Peering deep into the NGC 1851 star cluster, we spotted what appears to be a double star, offering a new look at the far reaches of matter in the universe. The system consists of a millisecond pulsar, a type of rapidly rotating neutron star that sends beams of radio light into space as it rotates, and a massive hidden object of unknown nature.
The massive object is dark, meaning it is invisible in all frequencies of light, from radio to optical, X-ray and gamma ranges. Under other conditions this would make it impossible to study, but this is where the millisecond pulsar comes to our rescue.
Millisecond pulsars are like cosmic atomic clocks. Their spins are incredibly stable and can be measured precisely by detecting the regular radio pulse they produce. Although the observed rotation is constant, it changes when the pulsar moves or its signal is affected by a strong gravitational field. By observing these changes, we can measure the properties of objects in the orbits where pulsars are located.
Our international team of astronomers is using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa to make these observations of the system called NGC 1851E. This allowed us to fully detail the orbits of the two objects and showed that their closest points of approach changed over time. Such changes are described by Einstein’s theory of relativity, and the rate of change gives us information about the total mass of objects in the system.
Our observations showed that the NGC 1851E system is almost four times more massive than our Sun, and that the dark satellite, like the pulsar, is a compact object, meaning it is much denser than a normal star. The largest neutron stars weigh about two solar masses; so if this were a binary neutron star system (well-known and studied systems), it would contain the two most massive neutron stars ever found.
To unravel the nature of the companion, we need to understand how the mass in the system is distributed among the stars. Again using Einstein’s theory of general relativity, we were able to model the system in detail and found that the mass of the satellite was between 2.09 and 2.71 solar masses.
The companion’s mass lies within the “black hole mass gap” that lies between the heaviest possible neutron stars, thought to be about 2.2 solar masses, and the lightest black holes that can form from collapsing stars, which are about 5 solar masses. The nature and formation of objects in this space is an unresolved question in astrophysics.
So what exactly did we find then?
One intriguing possibility is that we have discovered a pulsar orbiting the remnants of the merger (collision) of two neutron stars. This unusual configuration is made possible by the dense array of stars in NGC 1851.
On this crowded star dance floor, the stars will spin around each other and change partners in an endless waltz. If two neutron stars get too close to each other, their dance will end in disaster.
The black hole formed by their collision, which may be much lighter than the one formed by the collapsing stars, then wanders freely through the cluster until it finds another pair of waltzing dancers, thrusting itself more crudely in and ejecting the lighter partner. In process. It is this mechanism of collision and change that could give rise to the system we see today.
We haven’t finished this system yet. Studies are already underway to pinpoint the true nature of the companion and determine whether we have discovered the lightest black hole, the most massive neutron star, or both.
There is always the possibility that a new, as yet unknown, astrophysical object exists at the boundary between neutron stars and black holes. There will certainly be a lot of speculation behind this discovery, but it is already clear that this system holds great promise when it comes to understanding what actually happens to matter in the most extreme environments in the universe.
Source: Port Altele
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
