Or perhaps we have found them, but we call them something else - like black holes, for example.newjerseyrunner said:Another interesting thing is that neutron stars are little brothers of a theoretical object called quark stars that nobody has found yet.
No, quark stars are held up by quark degeneracy pressure and will still glow with radiation. Black holes have collapsed beyond that.|Glitch| said:Or perhaps we have found them, but we call them something else - like black holes, for example.
They may still glow with radiation, but if their density makes them smaller than their Schwarzschild radius then nobody is going to be able to see that glowing radiation.newjerseyrunner said:No, quark stars are held up by quark degeneracy pressure and will still glow with radiation. Black holes have collapsed beyond that.
We may have found some, but think they are neutron stars because they’d be nearly indistinguishable from each other.
... then they are black holes and collapse.|Glitch| said:but if their density makes them smaller than their Schwarzschild radius
A neutron star is a highly dense celestial object that is formed when a massive star dies and collapses in on itself. The core of the star is compressed to such an extent that it becomes mostly composed of neutrons. This makes it incredibly dense, with a mass that is greater than that of our sun but a diameter of only about 10 kilometers. This makes neutron stars interesting to physicists because they offer a unique opportunity to study extreme conditions that cannot be replicated on Earth.
Neutron stars are formed when a massive star runs out of fuel and is no longer able to sustain itself against its own gravity. The core then collapses, crushing protons and electrons together to form neutrons. This process releases a large amount of energy and causes the outer layers of the star to explode in a supernova. The remaining core is left as a neutron star.
The density of a neutron star is due to the fact that its mass is squeezed into a relatively small space. This is because the gravitational force of the star is so strong that it overcomes the repulsive forces between the neutrons. This causes the neutrons to be packed together very tightly, resulting in an incredibly dense object.
Neutron stars offer a unique laboratory for studying the fundamental laws of physics. Their extreme density and strong gravitational fields allow scientists to test theories such as general relativity and quantum mechanics. By studying neutron stars, we can gain a better understanding of how the universe works on a fundamental level.
Neutron stars exhibit a variety of interesting and extreme phenomena that are not seen anywhere else in the universe. These include powerful magnetic fields, intense radiation, and the formation of exotic particles such as strange quarks. Neutron stars also have the ability to emit gravitational waves, which were first detected in 2015. Studying these phenomena can provide valuable insights into the workings of the universe and the laws of physics.