Definition
A pulsar is a rapidly rotating and strongly magnetized neutron star that emits a (rotating) beam of electromagnetic radiation, observable when it points toward the Earth. The gravitational collapse of the neutron star’s precursor (the iron core of a massive star) produces magnetic fields of >1012 Gauss and rotational periods of down to a few ms (as precise as an atomic clock), due to conservation of magnetic flux and angular momentum, respectively. Pulsars decelerate because of radiation losses, but accretion from a companion star may spin them up. A few pulsars are known to have planets orbiting them. While the origin of such planets is still unknown, they probably form after the supernova explosion and, in all probability, they are uninhabitable because of the intense high-energy radiation emitted by the neutron star.
See also
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Prantzos, N. (2011). Pulsar. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11274-4_1308
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11274-4_1308
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11271-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11274-4
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics