neutron star

noun

1. an extremely dense, compact star composed primarily of neutrons, especially the collapsed core of a supernova.

neutron star

noun

1. a star that has collapsed under its own gravity to a diameter of about 10 to 15 km. It is composed mostly of neutrons, has a mass of between 1.4 and about 3 times that of the sun, and a density in excess of 10 ¹⁷kilograms per cubic metre

neutron star

1. A celestial object consisting of an extremely dense mass of neutrons, formed at the core of a supernova, where electrons and nuclei are compressed together so intensely by the force of gravity that protons and electrons merge together into neutrons. Though their mass is close to that of the Sun, the density of neutron stars is much higher—about 3 × 10 ¹¹ kilograms per cubic centimeter (by comparison, the density of steel is 7.7 grams per cubic centimeter). Neutron stars are typically about 10 km across, and rotate very rapidly. Due to the spinning of electrically charged protons and electrons at their surfaces, their rotation gives rise to strong magnetic fields. The existence of neutron stars was predicted in the 1930s but was not confirmed until the discovery of the first pulsar in 1967.
2. See more at pulsar

neutron star

1. A star about the size of the Earth , made almost entirely of neutrons . It is the end product of the evolution of some stars larger than the sun .

Word History and Origins

Origin of neutron star¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The Crab Nebula features a neutron star at its center that has formed into a 12-mile-wide pulsar pinwheeling electromagnetic radiation across the cosmos.

From Science Daily

When stars collapse, they can leave behind incredibly dense but relatively small and cold remnants called neutron stars.

From Science Daily

Scientists have detected what they believe to be a neutron star spinning at an unprecedentedly slow rate -- slower than any of the more than 3,000 radio emitting neutron stars measured to date.

From Science Daily

Its collapse would culminate into an explosion, ejecting energy and mass into space with enormous force, prior to leaving behind a neutron star or a black hole in its wake.

From Science Daily

The software can detect the shape of signals, track how the signal behaves, and estimate what masses are included in the event, like neutron stars or black holes.

From Science Daily