Bernie G
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Jonathan Scott said:You're saying this in a way which suggests that you think some mechanism prevents an existing neutron star from becoming any larger. I'm not aware of any evidence for this. What is thought to happen is that there is a threshold mass at which a neutron star will collapse to become a black hole, and there may be intermediate phases at which a neutron star might be transformed to a more dense hypothetical object such as a "quark star".
Also, neutron stars are currently primarily distinguished from any more compact form by X-ray bursts which are thought to be from fusion of accumulated helium (produced by hydrogen immediately fusing to helium when it falls to the surface). I've just started another thread to ask about whether a neutron star might be able to become sufficiently massive that falling hydrogen might have enough energy for much of it to fuse beyond helium immediately, in which case there will be no accumulation of helium to cause an X-ray flash, making it more difficult to distinguish it from a black hole. Here's the thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/x-ray-bursts-might-not-happen-for-larger-neutron-stars.850627/
"You're saying this in a way which suggests that you think some mechanism prevents an existing neutron star from becoming any larger.": YES!
"I'm not aware of any evidence for this.": The maximum observed mass of neutron stars is thought to be about 2 M☉.
"What is thought to happen is that there is a threshold mass at which a neutron star will collapse to become a black hole": If this is so where does the collapse start? At the core (neutron collapse!)? Or at the surface?
"A neutron star might be able to become sufficiently massive that falling hydrogen might have enough energy for much of it to fuse beyond helium immediately.": I'm digesting your new thread and prefer to wait for other comments. Its an interesting idea. If hydrogen can do it maybe helium could do it. You are suggesting the smaller mass "black holes" might be compact stars? Expect a lot of flak!