The speed of the jet is lower than the speed of the same event in black holes, but the new discovery brings us closer to solving a long-standing mystery.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, astronomers have been able to measure the speed of the matter jet emitted by a neutron star for the first time using ground-based telescopes. By increasing the number of such measurements, it will be possible to answer a question that has long puzzled astronomers: What exactly causes jets to fly into space? IFLScience writes that scientists have two options for now.
In Focus. Technologies emerged telegram channel. Subscribe to avoid missing the latest and most exciting news from the world of science!
Many supermassive black holes shoot jets of matter into space at tremendous speeds as a result of consuming surrounding matter. But some neutron stars do the same thing. A neutron star is the remnant of a once massive star that died in a supernova explosion. Sometimes neutron stars are found near ordinary companion stars and steal matter from them using gravity. Matter falls on a neutron star, accumulates, and this causes thermonuclear explosions to occur on the surface of the neutron star. However, some of the stolen matter escapes into space at tremendous speed in the form of a jet. However, it is still unclear exactly what mechanism is behind the emergence of this jet. But new research brings us closer to the answer.
During a thermonuclear explosion, flashes of X-ray and gamma radiation appear on the surface of a neutron star. How often such explosions occur depends on the rate at which the stolen material accumulates and likely other factors.
But astronomers have discovered that such bursts occur every few hours in the neutron star 4U 1728-34. Scientists decided to use these flashes of light to measure the speed of matter jets. To calculate speed you need to know not only the time but also the distance. The frequency of the jet’s radiation varies depending on the distance from the star. Thanks to some previous research on black holes and neutron stars, scientists can determine the distance corresponding to a certain frequency.
As a result, astronomers calculated the speed of the neutron star jet as 114 thousand km/s, which is approximately 38% of the speed of light. According to scientists, this parameter is very small compared to the speed of the jet coming out of the black hole. Black holes shoot jets of matter at speeds greater than 99% of the speed of light.
Now scientists want to make similar measurements while observing other neutron stars. This is necessary to fully understand what causes the jet to appear. Perhaps the neutron star itself, due to its rapid rotation, is the cause of the appearance of jets. Measuring the spin rate of neutron stars is much easier than measuring the spin rate of black holes. However, the authors of the study believe that if the connection between the rotation and the jet is not detected, the magnetic fields surrounding the neutron star are responsible for the emergence of these ejections of material.
Scientists say black holes and neutron stars have completely different physical properties, but it turns out there is little difference between their jets. Supermassive black hole jets can influence the evolution of a galaxy, making understanding them even more important.
As I already wrote FocusA mineral particle found in a meteorite on Earth came from an unusual place in space and time. The study of an ancient meteorite made it possible to discover a presolar grain there, created by a new cosmic phenomenon.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.