Cracking Up

• ‹ Previous program
• 1907 of 1964
• Next program ›

sd20130322_0.mp3

sd20130322_0.mp3

Earth’s crust sometimes “cracks,” causing earthquakes and other deadly events. Yet these events are puny compared to what happens when the crust of a neutron star cracks. That can release more energy than millions of normal stars.

A neutron star is basically a big atomic nucleus spinning through space. Gravity has squeezed it so tightly that a cupful of its material would weigh billions of tons. It’s topped by a thin crust of iron that’s not quite as dense as the material below it.

A study by David Tsang of Caltech says that if two neutron stars are about to merge - or a neutron star and a black hole - the neutron star’s crust should break up in the final seconds before the merger.

As the two objects spiral together, tides on the neutron star’s surface get stronger, pulling and stretching the crust. The crust cracks, sending seismic waves bouncing through the star. The waves get so intense that they shatter the crust. That energy then feeds into the neutron star’s magnetic field, producing a fireball - moments before the star is destroyed in the collision.

Studying such an event would reveal important details about the crust, and about the transition zone between the crust and the star’s core. Such studies would require a way to measure gravitational waves - something that’s not possible right now. But advances in technology could change that - allowing scientists to probe the nature of some of the most bizarre objects in the universe.

Script by Damond Benningfield, Copyright 2013

For more skywatching tips, astronomy news, and much more, read StarDate magazine.