'Vampire' neutron star blasts tied to near-light-speed jet phenomenon, scientists find
Space.com. Neutron star refers to the remains of a massive dead star that encountered a supernova explosion. Active companion stars of neutron stars are those that are close to neutron stars' gravitational pull, capable of stripping away material.
Thus, neutron stars are termed “vampire neutron stars" as a companion star's infalling material triggers thermonuclear explosions at the neutron star's surface which causes powerful astrophysical jets to emerge at near-light speeds. Hence, makes the dead neutron star active. Lead author and National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) scientist Thomas Russell said, "For the first time, we have been able to measure the speeds of the steady jets that are launched from a neutron star," reported Space.com.
He explained that these jets, like those from accreting black holes, are an incredibly important in our universe. Their importance comes from the fact that they impart huge amounts of energy into their surroundings. This affects star formation, galaxy growth and the process by which galaxies cluster together.
Thomas Russell noted, "But we don't really understand how these jets are launched," reported Space.com. The scientist further added that, previously, scientists had thought the jets could be launched either due to the rotation of material stripped from a victim star as that material spirals in. There was also the theory that the jets are connected to the spin of the rotating object itself.
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