Scientists have identified a completely new type of cosmic zombie after analyzing an X-ray signal transmitted to the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) on June 3.
Neutron star, a powerful “cosmic zombie” – (Graphic from The Conversation).
According to a report recently published online on Astronomers Telegram, led by NASA, the signal source named Swift J1555.2-5402 has been re-identified using the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) and the Swift X-ray Telescope (NASA), revealing that it is a neutron star with a diameter of only 20 kilometers.
Despite its small size, it is… twice the mass of our Sun and carries energy equivalent to 4 million times that of Earth. Compared to typical neutron stars, this new neutron star is about 1,000 times stronger.
Neutron stars are essentially a “cosmic zombie”, the energetic remnant left after a massive star exhausts its fuel and explodes. This new neutron star is believed to have formed from a star larger than the Sun by 8 to 30 times.
According to Science Alert, only 24 neutron stars have ever been identified, with 6 “candidates” currently under study. We know they are formed from the death of a massive star, but we still cannot explain how that death results in such super energy.
