Maximum weight of a Neutron star

In summary: The paper is linked at the bottom of the page http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aaa401/meta
  • #1
wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
4,446
558
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180116093650.htm

This article gives a maximum weight of 2.16 solar masses, and an infinitesimal addition would turn it into a Black hole. I can not find a paper to support this article so do you think it is correct?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #3
"an infinitesimal addition would turn it into a Black hole."

Be careful about reading more into an article or paper than is actually there. The article says "with an accuracy of a few percent". A few percent could mean 5% and 5% of 2.16 solar masses is about 0.1 solar masses, hardly an infinitesimal amount.
 
  • #4
It depends on what Equation of State you use.I prefer a very "stiff" equation of state strictly constrained by the Pauli Exclusion Principle applied to neutrons. Given a neutron star at neutron densities a neutron star of about 5 solar masses would turn into a black hole, so this is the upper mass limit for a neutron star I would use.
 
  • #5
NFuller said:
The paper is linked at the bottom of the page http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aaa401/meta

The result is reasonable since theoretical constructions tend to give a maximum mass of less than 3 solar masses.

No need for login at arxive.org. Title and a few authors usually pops up a link.

ianchristie said:
"an infinitesimal addition would turn it into a Black hole."

Be careful about reading more into an article or paper than is actually there. The article says "with an accuracy of a few percent". A few percent could mean 5% and 5% of 2.16 solar masses is about 0.1 solar masses, hardly an infinitesimal amount.

Consider what happens if you step over the edge of a cliff. I could tell you to "watch out for the pit over yonder... about 200 meters ±10m". You can walk up to the edge of a pit and stick your toes over and wiggle them. The ±10m uncertainty in my statement was the location. At the edge a small fraction of a step will lead to a a serious accident. Dancing 5 meters from a fall hazard would not be dangerous.
 
  • #6
It depends.
Rotating neutron star would be stabilized by its angular momentum and could be significantly heavier than stationary one before collapse proceeds. One way or another it is unlikely that anything over 3 solar masses would last for long.
 
  • Like
Likes JMz

1. What is the maximum weight of a neutron star?

The maximum weight of a neutron star is about 2-3 times the mass of the sun, or approximately 2-3 solar masses. This is known as the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit and is the point at which the star's gravity becomes so strong that it can no longer support its own weight.

2. How does the weight of a neutron star compare to other celestial bodies?

A neutron star is one of the densest objects in the universe, with a weight that is significantly greater than that of a white dwarf or a normal star. However, it is much less massive than a black hole, which can have a weight equivalent to billions of suns.

3. What determines the maximum weight of a neutron star?

The maximum weight of a neutron star is primarily determined by its internal pressure, which is a result of the interactions between the neutrons and other subatomic particles within the star. As the star's mass increases, so does its gravitational pull, which compresses the neutrons and increases the pressure until it reaches the maximum limit.

4. Can a neutron star exceed the maximum weight limit?

No, a neutron star cannot exceed the maximum weight limit. If its mass were to increase beyond this limit, it would continue to collapse under its own gravity and eventually become a black hole.

5. How does the maximum weight of a neutron star impact its lifespan?

The maximum weight of a neutron star does not have a significant impact on its lifespan. Neutron stars are already incredibly long-lived objects, with an estimated lifespan of billions of years. The maximum weight limit only affects the initial formation and stability of the star, not its overall lifespan.

Similar threads

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
31
Views
6K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top