Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Pulsations of Neutron Stars

Undergraduate #302
Discipline: Physics
Subcategory: Physics (not Nanoscience)

Khyana T. Price - Alabama A&M University
Co-Author(s): T.X. Zhang, Alabama A&M University, AL


Neutron stars are extremely compact objects, resulting from supernova explosions of dying massive stars with mass about 8 to 20 solar masses. Their existences of neutron stars in nature were theoretically predicted in 1930s and observationally discovered until 1960s from the measurement of unusual pulselike radio emissions from the Crab Nebula. Conventionally, the pulse-like emissions are explained based on the lighthouse model of pulsars as fast rotating neutron stars. According to the lighthouse model, the ON and OFF phases of a pulsar refer to the beam of radiation pointing to the Earth and other directions, respectively. However, the recent observations did not show the reflection of the pulsar X-rays when it is OFF by the Crab Nebula. The lack of reflecting X-rays of the pulsar by the Crab Nebula in the OFF phase does not support the lighthouse model as expected. Recently, Zhang (2015) has developed a new physical model for pulsars as gravitational shielding and oscillating neutron stars.

In this study, we will, based on this new model, investigate the pulsations of oscillating neutron stars. We will explore the dependence of pulsating power and frequency on the mass and initial state of neutron stars and compare results of our studies with measurements. Preliminary results obtained are consistent with observations, which give substance to the model of pulsars as oscillating neutron stars.

Reference: Zhang, T.X. 2015, A Physical Model of Pulsars as Gravitational Shielding and Oscillating Neutron Stars, Progress in Physics, 11 (2), 110-116.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): I would like to thank my mentor Dr. Zhang for all his support, time, and efforts. Funding was provided by NSF/HBCU-UP (Code: HRD-1436572 and Title: Advancing Success in STEM Undergraduate Research and Education (ASSURE)).

Faculty Advisor: Tianxi Zhang,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.