Are pulsars giant permanent magnets?
November 22, 2011 By Ray Sanders
The Vela Pulsar contains a neutron star - the remains of a supernova explosion. Seen in this X-ray image from the Chandra observatory is a jet emitted from one of the neutron star's rotational poles. Credit: NASA/CXC/PSU/G.Pavlov et al.
Some of the most bizarre phenomenon in the universe are neutron stars. Very few things in our universe can rival the density in these remnants of supernova explosions. Neutron stars emit intense radiation from their magnetic poles, and when a neutron star is aligned such that these “beams” of radiation point in Earth’s direction, we can detect the pulses, and refer to said neutron star as a pulsar.
What has been a mystery so far, is how exactly the magnetic fields of pulsars form and behave. Researchers had believed that the magnetic fields form from the rotation of charged particles, and as such should align with the rotational axis of the neutron star. Based on observational data, researchers know this is not the case.
Seeking to unravel this mystery, Johan Hansson and Anna Ponga (Lulea University of Technology, Sweden) have written a paper which outlines a new theory on how the magnetic fields of neutron stars form. Hansson and Ponga theorize that not only can the movement of charged particles form a magnetic field, but also the alignment of the magnetic fields of components that make up the neutron star – similar to the process of forming ferromagnets.
Getting into the physics of Hansson and Ponga’s paper, they suggest that when a neutron star forms, neutron magnetic moments become aligned. The alignment is thought to occur due to it being the lowest energy configuration of the nuclear forces. Basically, once the alignment occurs, the magnetic field of a neutron star is locked in place. This phenomenon essentially makes a neutron star into a giant permanent magnet, something Hansson and Ponga call a “neutromagnet”.
Similar to it’s smaller permanent magnet cousins, a neutromagnet would be extremely stable. The magnetic field of a neutromagnet is thought to align with the original magnetic field of the “parent” star, which appears to act as a catalyst. What is even more interesting is that the original magnetic field isn’t required to be in the same direction as the spin axis.
One more interesting fact is that with all neutron stars having nearly the same mass, Hansson and Ponga can calculate the strength of the magnetic fields the neutromagnets should generate. Based on their calculations, the strength is about 1012 Tesla’s – almost exactly the observed value detected around the most intense magnetic fields around neutron stars. The team’s calculations appear to solve several unsolved problems regarding pulsars.
Hansson and Ponga’s theory is simple to test – since they state the magnetic field strength of neutron stars cannot exceed 1012 Tesla’s. If a neutron star were to be discovered with a stronger magnetic field than 1012 Tesla’s, the team’s theory would be proven wrong.
Due to the Pauli exclusion principle possibly excluding neutrons aligning in the manner outlined in Hansson and Ponga’s paper, there are some questions regarding the team’s theory. Hansson and Ponga point to experiments that have been performed which suggest that nuclear spins can become ordered, like ferromagnets, stating: “One should remember that the nuclear physics at these extreme circumstances and densities is not known a priori, so several unexpected properties might apply,”
While Hansson and Ponga readily agree their theories are purely speculative, they feel their theory is worth pursuing in more detail.
More information: If you’d like to learn more, you can read the full scientific paper by Hansson & Pong at: http://arxiv.org/p … /1111.3434v1
Source: Universe Today
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Rank: 1.1 / 5 (35)
Isn't it sad that Astronomers will never see the stars and will never understand that the sun has a magnetic field of 10**12 Tesla, even though nothing close is observed.
Perhaps it's lower because of Newtron/Newtron repulsion.
Where is OmaTard to clear all this up?
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 1.3 / 5 (13)
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 1.1 / 5 (35)
Silly scentisimsists.
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 1.8 / 5 (20)
Magnetic fields from the Sun's pulsar core or the superconducting iron mantle around it protrude through the photosphere as cycles of sunspots.
These solar cycles are induced by solar inertial motion as orbiting planets jerk the Sun's dense core around inside the photosphere - a glowing sphere of waste (91% H and 9% He).
1. Suns motion and sunspots, Astron. J. 70, 193-200 (1965)
2. "Super-fluidity in the solar interior: Implications for solar eruptions and climate", J Fusion Energy 21, 193-198 (2002) http://arxiv.org/.../0501441
3. "Earth's heat source - The Sun", Energy & Environment 20, 131-144 (2009) http://arxiv.org/pdf/0905.0704
With kind regards,
Oliver K. Manuel
http://myprofile....anuelo09
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 4.3 / 5 (11)
The article is fascinating, I hope the authors can find a way to test their theory.
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 1.1 / 5 (32)
Not good for the dog to be parented by the mentally ill.
A fish is only a slightly better idea.
Maybe he can talk to the carrots in his refrigerator. Nice, well adjusted, happy carrots.
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 1.4 / 5 (10)
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 4 / 5 (4)
"Dr. Oliver Manuel Sr., Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and former chair of the UMR Chemistry Department, was arrested Tuesday, May 30 in his office at UMR for two felony counts of rape, four counts of sodomy, and one count of attempted sodomy. The crimes allegedly occurred from 1967 to 1990 at various locations in Phelps County. Some of the acts allegedly occurred on University property."
http://mominer.ms...hildren/
Nov 22, 2011
Rank: 0.7 / 5 (28)
Ya, and in standard astronomy they are composed of particles.
Completely different.
But wait. I'm composed of particles. So I must be the same size a s neutron star.
No wonder I have such a magnetic monopole personality.
Nov 23, 2011
Rank: 0.7 / 5 (28)
People will never understand that OmaTard was just trying to find the Iron Neturon Star that all children keep up their backsides.
Nov 23, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (5)
Nov 25, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (5)
http://www.aether...ole2.gif
When the mass density of pulsar increases even more, even the second jet is suppressed and the pulsar changes itself into black hole in general relativity sense.
Nov 25, 2011
Rank: 1.7 / 5 (6)
http://www.aether...hole.avi
Therefore magnetic monopole can be interpreted like temporal intermediate state between antisymmetric white hole and symmetric black hole stage.
Nov 28, 2011
Rank: 2 / 5 (4)
You are a complete ass. You're constant name calling and use of "Tard" is irritating, infantile, and you bring nothing to any discussion at physorg.
I did a little google search on your retarded name.
VendTard's REAL NAME is Scott Nudds (ROFL nice last name douche bag!!!)
I found all sorts of interesting things about you. I invite all of you to read about who this A-hole is. interesting stuff.
Scottard, I guarantee you have NO woman in your life. and if there is one, I'm sorry she has to handle the busines end of your shriveled loins. HAHAHA NUDDS!! What a F**king awsome last name you horrid little man.
So you keep on calling peoplke Tards, go right ahead.
Meanwhile, everyone check out what google says about our illustrious scientist Scott Nudds (ROFL too funny!)
https://www.googl...Vendicar Decarian
you are an ass, VendiFag DecariNudds
Lets see a pic eh ? C'mon VendTard.
Nov 28, 2011
Rank: 2.3 / 5 (3)
Attn: Vendicar Decarian
Dear Sir or Madam,
We value your posts but could you do us the courtesy of not including aus.tv
in your list of Newsgroups for posts not relating to Australian television.
The number of off-topic crossposts is slowly killing our newsgroup and as such
there will soon be nobody left in aus.tv to receive your posts.
The only members of aus.tv who have an interest in political posts are already
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Come on VendiTard, you gonna call me p1LLTard? That would be sooo clever Mr. Nudds (ROFL I laugh everytime I write it!)
Nov 28, 2011
Rank: 2.3 / 5 (3)
http://groups.goo...20?pli=1
you are a famous troll I see! I will expose you, you pathetic louse.
more on Scott Nudds a.k.a. VendTard DecariTard:
"I bring order to chaos" ~ Scott Nudds
WTF??? are you for real scotty boy?
Cmmon Nuddsies, you pissed off the wrong person tonight at physorg.
Nov 28, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Ethelred
Nov 28, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
I find it frustrating that "they" once again use phrases like a magnetic field being locked in place, while ignoring the fact that even in permanent magnets such fields are created by ongoing electric currents (which are the only things that can create magnetic fields).
However, even setting aside my fringe opinion (hey - I'm calling it what it is!) that there is actually no such thing as a neutron star, I'm still pleased by the quote above because it is but a hair's breath away from focusing on "charge posturing", which is logically consistent, and which must exist as a real behavior in order for neutron magnetic moments to become aligned.
And once "charge posturing" becomes studied and understood, the floodgates of real astronomical science at least have a chance of opening, and washing all the rest of this invented fantasy dreck away.