How can neutron stars have magnetospheres?

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Neutron stars, despite being neutral, can have magnetospheres due to the presence of charged particles within them. Their magnetic fields are believed to be "frozen in" from the magnetic field of the star prior to its collapse. Neutrons possess magnetic moments, which contribute to the overall magnetic properties of neutron stars. The discussion highlights the complexity of neutron star structures and their magnetic fields, emphasizing that charge neutrality does not preclude the existence of a magnetic field. Understanding these phenomena requires further exploration of neutron magnetic moments and stellar evolution.
Cindy Hops
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Neutron stars are neutral by definition. How can they have magnetospheres which are polar by definition?
 
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An iron magnet is charge neutral, and yet it has a magnetic field. While neutron stars are mainly neutrons, they contain charged particles as well. See this Wikipedia link for an overview of the best guess of a neutron star structure. It is believed that the magnetic field in a neutron star is "frozen in" from the magnetic field that was present in the star before it collapsed.
 
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phyzguy said:
An iron magnet is charge neutral, and yet it has a magnetic field. While neutron stars are mainly neutrons, they contain charged particles as well. See this Wikipedia link for an overview of the best guess of a neutron star structure. It is believed that the magnetic field in a neutron star is "frozen in" from the magnetic field that was present in the star before it collapsed.

Fascinating! Thanks so much!
 
By the way, neutrons may be electrically neutral but they still have magnetic moments.
 
I'm fascinated. Is there a link that could explain this?
 
A brief explanation for the magnetic fields of neutron stars is offered here; http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q250.html, If neutrons have no magnetic polarity, why do neutron stars have such strong magnetic fields?
 

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