Scientists Find The Fastest Neutron Star In The Universe

Illustration of binary star systems (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Scientists discovered an unusual object in space. Thanks to NASA's Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) telescope, scientists discovered rapidly rotating neutron stars.

In a paper shared by The Astrophysical Journal, citing from Gizmodo, the neutron star, which is 26,000 light-years away, is in an X-ray binary star system called 4U 1820-30. The system consists of normal stars to collapsing stars.

Scientists realize that the star of this supernova event can complete 716 rotations per second. During rotating, this neutron star draws material from the white dwarf star that accompanies it. This white dwarf star orbits the neutron star within 11 minutes, the shortest period in the binary system

After pulling the material from the white dwarf, the neutron star re-releases its material in the form of a thermonuclear explosion. According to scientists who conducted the research, this explosion was very strong, similar to the atomic bomb explosion.

"During this explosion, neutron stars became 100,000 times brighter than the Sun, releasing a large amount of energy," said Jerome Chenevez of Denmark's Engineering University, one of the researchers observing neutron stars in the binary system 4U 1820-30.

Apart from displaying an unusual phenomenon, this thermonuclear explosion is very extreme according to Jerome. However, these findings are very important for humans so that insights into astronomical objects in space are increasing.

"So, we are dealing with very extreme events, and by studying them, we derive new insights into the life cycle of binary star systems and the formation of elements in the universe," said Jerome.

So far, neutron star 4U 1820-30 is the most rapidly rotating astronomical object in the universe, beating the neutron star PSR J17482446. In the future, researchers may be able to find other objects that can rotate rapidly in space.