BEIJING, Sept. 27, 2022 (Xinhua) — Chinese astronomers have discovered a non-accumulating, non-radiating neutron star using the Large Sky Area Multi-target Fiber Spectroscope (LAMOOST), China’s leading optical telescope, according to a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
This discovery will enhance the observation of dense celestial bodies such as neutron stars and black holes, which are difficult to observe, and will lead to further study on the formation and evolution of stars, the physical properties and formation theory of neutron stars and black holes.
Neutron stars are dense celestial bodies that were formed during the evolution of massive stars to the end of their lives. Finding a suitable method for observing non-accumulating and non-radiating neutron stars is important for astronomers to study dense celestial bodies.
When using the “Lamost” telescope to survey the sky, the researchers discovered a special binary star system whose spectrum differs from that of a single star system.
After analysis and measurement work, the researchers believe that the dense celestial body of the binary star system is a neutron star with a mass regarding 1.2 times the mass of the sun.
Further radio observations showed that no pulsating or continuous emission from the neutron star was observed, indicating that it is not currently accumulating or pulsing.
The research team will use this method to discover more dense celestial bodies such as neutron stars and black holes.