Pulsars and Neutron Stars

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to pulsars and neutron stars.

Pulsar

A rapidly spinning neutron star that emits beams of radiation.

Neutron Star

The dense remnant of a supernova, composed primarily of neutrons.

Jocelyn Bell

The astronomer who discovered pulsars in 1967.

Hot Spots

The two beams of radiation emitted from the poles of a pulsar.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Radiation emitted by pulsars, which can include gamma rays, X-rays, and radio waves.

Millisecond Pulsar

A pulsar that spins hundreds of times a second.

Accretion

The process through which gas from a normal star is pulled into a pulsar, increasing its spin.

Supernova

A stellar explosion that can lead to the formation of a neutron star.

Doppler Effect

The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.

Theory of Stellar Evolution

A theory that describes the life cycle of stars, including the formation of neutron stars after a supernova.