Astronomers Detect, Mysterious Star , That Defies Black Hole Theory.
'The Guardian' reports that astronomers have detected an "overweight" neutron star that appears to defy current astronomical theories.
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The massive star is the result of two smaller neutron stars merging.
Under normal circumstances, these types of stellar collisions result in neutron stars so large that they almost instantly collapse into black holes.
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The "overweight" star was visible for more than a day before fading out of sight.
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Such a massive neutron star with a long life expectancy is not normally thought to be possible.
It is a mystery why this one was so long-lived, Dr. Nuria Jordana-Mitjans, astronomer at the University of Bath, via 'The Guardian'.
'The Guardian' reports that the observation also raises questions regarding the source of short gamma-ray bursts, which are generated by collisions between neutron stars.
Previously, astronomers believed that these energetic outbursts were created at the poles of newly-formed black holes.
The most recent observation suggests that the gamma-ray burst must have originated in the neutron star itself.
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Neutron stars are the smallest, densest stars in the universe.
Typically about 12 miles wide, a neutron star is so dense that just a teaspoon of material would equal 1 billion tons.
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The new research could reveal insight into the internal structure of neutron stars, which are assumed to have a core comprised of some unknown exotic matter.
The team's findings were published in the 'Astrophysical Journal.'
