Key Concepts

  • Electron Capture

    Under extreme pressure in stars, protons + electrons can combine to make a neutron and neutrino. This process is called electron capture.

  • Mass

    When big stars die, they become black holes. Smaller stars become white dwarfs. But above 1.39 solar masses - the Chandrasekhar limit - and below the point of becoming black holes, the star will become a neutron star.

  • Magnetic Field

    Neutron stars are not 100% neutrons. There are charged particles embedded through it. This in combination with the spinning star results in a magnetic field. Very useful for observations.

Prediction

Fritz Zwicky & Walter Baade

Shortly after neutrons were shown to exist, scientists Fritz Zwicky and Walter Baade predicted that supernovas could create neutron stars. This prediction was confirmed by Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish in 1967.
Fritz Zwicky and Walter Baade standing outside amongst telescopes

Astronomy Poster

Event Horizon

Dive into the cosmic abyss with 'Event Horizon'—a captivating poster that brings the enigmatic beauty of black holes right to your wall! Perfect for space enthusiasts and gravity geeks, this artistic rendition invites you to ponder the universe’s greatest magic trick. Hang it up and let the gravitational charm of this cosmic wonder transform your space into a gateway of galactic intrigue!
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A woman standing in front of a purple wall with a poster on it with an artistic depiction of a black hole

More Astronomy

The Ergosphere of a Black Hole

Black Holes rotates, and in doing so they cause a current in space time. Learn more about this phenomenon.
#LearnMore
A golden ellipsoid in purple space