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A neutron star is a type of stellar remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star during a supernova event, where the exploding star lacks to mass to become a black hole. Neutron stars are the densest and tiniest stars known to exist in the universe; although having only the radius of about 10 km (6 mi), they may have a mass of several times that of a Sun-sized star.


Formation

Any star with an initial main-sequence mass of around 10 solar masses or above has the potential to become a neutron star. As the star evolves away from the main sequence, subsequent nuclear burning produces an iron-rich core. When all nuclear fuel in the core has been exhausted, the core can no longer support the mass of the shell and it collapses, increasing heat and pressure until it explodes in a supernova, which ejects the outer layers of the star outward at relativistic velocities, forming nebulae such as the Xagyg Nebula and the Greater Morass. The rapidly spinning remnant has the mass of 1-4 solar masses; any heavier and it continues to collapse until it becomes a black hole.

About one in twenty neutron stars form as one or both parts of a Binary Star System.


Properties

Neutron stars appear white to the naked eye,[1] and are extremely dense, with a surface gravity measured in the millions of g's.[2]

More importantly, each has a unique pulsating radio signature that is extremely useful for stellar navigation, much like the lighthouses of old.

Neutron Stars of the Frontier Sector

Within the Standard Map of the Frontier, there are six neutron stars:

  • NS-H-17 - 6 LY from Gruna Garu, beyond the Greater Morass toward the Vast Expanse.
  • NS-F-3 -
  • NS-W-I
  • NS-23-L
  • NS-25-B
  • NS-22-15


Notes & References

  1. Although they are very bright, their small size and surrounding detritus clouds make them no brighter than average when seen from light years away.
  2. One measure of its immense gravity is the fact that neutron stars have an escape velocity of around 100,000 km/s, about a third of the speed of light. Matter falling onto the surface of a neutron star would be accelerated to tremendous speed by the star's gravity. The force of impact would likely destroy the object's component atoms, rendering all its matter identical, in most respects, to the rest of the star.
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