Astronomy Chapter 22 Vocab- "Neutron Stars and Black Holes"

neutron star

the part of the star’s core that survives after a Type II supernova explosion; is as dense as an atomic nucleus and is very small

rotation and magnetic field

the other important properties of neutron stars besides mass and size

pulsars

rapidly spinning neutron stars that radiate their energy quickly; the first one was discovered in 1967

millisecond pulsar

a type of pulsar that has a period less than 0.01 seconds; was first discovered in the early 1980s

merging neutron stars and a hypernova

the two models that have been proposed as the source of gamma-ray bursts

black hole

a remant that has a gravitational force so intense that even light can’t escape

Schwarzchild radius

the radius at which the escape speed from the black hole equals the speed of light

event horizon

an area in a black hole where nothing can escape; happens after the black hole has collapsed

Einstein’s Special Relativity Theory

states that the speed of light is the maximum possible speed, and it is always measured to have the same value by all observers, and there is no absolute frame of reference and no absolute state of rest

spacetime

the term used to express the unification of space and time; is explained in Einstein’s Special Relativity Theory

Einstein’s General Relativity Theory

states that it is impossible to tell from within a closed system whether one is accelerating or in a gravitational field; was tested in Einstein’s Elevator Experiment

gravitational redshift

occurs when a probe nears the event horizon of a black hole; observers will see it as experiencing a dramatic redshift as it gets closer, so that time appears to be going more slowly as it approaches

Cygnus X-1

a strong X-ray emitter that is thought to be a black hole; its visible partner is about 25 solar masses, and the total system is 35 solar masses

LIGO (Laser Interferometric Gravity-wave Observatory) and LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna)

two space detectors that were designed to detect gravitational waves