Thermonuclear Behavior of Unique Neutron Star Detected

A neutron star near the center of our galaxy erupted with a plethora of X-ray bursts that were powered by a number of thermonuclear explosions that took place on the star's surface. This behavior was captured over a month, scientists say behavior of this sort has not yet been observed, making this neutron star unique, at least to earthly observation.

This neutron star is a part of a binary system; orbiting a star much like our sun. The star has been classified as a pulsar, because of its regular pulses of observable radiation. The star's incredibly strong magnetic fields produce hot spots that rotate with the star, and increase it's X-ray pulses. The star rotates 11 times every second, and the star and it's counter-part orbit each other once every 21 hours. Three days after the source of the strong radiation bursts was discovered, scientists witness something amazing; a three-minute-long X-ray burst caused by a thermonuclear explosion.

The neutron star continuously draws matter from the surface of it's sun-like partner, coating it in a layer of hydrogen and helium. When this layer builds to a specific depth, the gas undergoes a huge thermonuclear explosion; resulting in the large bursts of X-ray radiation that are so unique to this system. Scientists theorize that the accretion rate, the flow of fuel to the pulsars surface, allows for continuous and stable thermonuclear explosions. There's only one question now; why is this system so unique, what makes it behave the way it does?

I found this article particularly intriguing due to the unique nature of the pulsar in its binary system. I also researched pulsars for my final project, which added to the draw of the article. I also find the unique discovery itself quite interesting; I actually want to know where the origin of this strange phenomena lies.