Exploring Pulsars: An

Introduction
Pulsars are one of the most fascinating objects in the universe. These
highly magnetized neutron stars emit beams of electromagnetic radiation
that can be observed from Earth. In this presentation, we will explore the
physics behind pulsars and their importance in astrophysics.

by Santu Nayek
What is a Pulsar?

What is Pulsar? How do Pulsars work? What is a Neutron Star?

A pulsar is a highly magnetized rotating neutron Pulsars are highly magnetized neutron stars Neutron stars are formed when a massive
star that emits Of radiation Out Of its magnetic stars that have a very strong magnetic field. star runs out of fuel and collapses under the
poles. These beams of radiation can be field. Electrons and other charged particles weight of its own gravity. The star's protons
observed as pulses of light as the star rotates, particles are accelerated by the magnetic and electrons combine to form neutrons,
hence the name pulsar. magnetic field and emit radiation, which creating a very dense object with a radius of
The Crab Pulsar, located in the Crab Nebula, was which appears as intense beams of light only a few kilometers.
the first pulsar discovered in 1967 by Jocelyn light when the magnetic axis is aligned with
Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish. It has a period with Earth.
of 33 milliseconds and emits electromagnetic
radiation across the entire spectrum.
Discovery and Classification of Pulsars
Discovery Classification

The first pulsar was discovered by Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Pulsars are classified based on their properties such as
Antony Hewish in 1967. They detected a regular series of period, dispersion measure, and magnetic field strength.
radio pulses coming from a point in the sky that was not There are four main types of pulsars: rotation-powered,
associated with any known object. accretion-powered, magnetars, and rotating radio
transients.

Fastest Pulsar Most Distant Pulsar

PSR J1748-2446ad is the fastest pulsar known, rotating at PSR J1711-4322 is the most distant pulsar known, located
a rate of 716 times per second. about 25,000 light-years away from Earth.
Pulsar Emission and Radiation Mechanisms
Radio Waves

The most commonly observed emission from pulsars is in the form

of radio waves. These waves are created when electrons and
positrons stream out from the pulsar's magnetic poles and are
accelerated by the strong magnetic field.

1 2 3

Electromagnetic Radiation X-rays and Gamma Rays

Pulsars emit beams of electromagnetic radiation that can be X-rays and gamma rays are emitted by pulsars with high magnetic
observed across the entire spectrum, from radio waves to gamma fields. The mechanism behind this emission is thought to be
rays. The mechanism behind this radiation is still not fully synchro-tron radiation, where electrons spiral around magnetic
understood. field lines.
 Conservation of
Angular Momentum

Magnetic Field
Amplification
Physics Behind
Magnetic Dipole
Radiation
Pulsar

Radiation Beams

Doppler Effect

Period and
Frequency

Energy Source
Pulsar Timing and Applications in Cosmology
Timing By measuring the arrival times of pulses from pulsars with
extreme accuracy, scientists can search for slight variations
that may be caused by gravitational waves, which are
ripples in the fabric of space-time.

Cosmology By using pulsars as precise clocks, scientists can study the

distribution of matter in the universe, the properties of the
interstellar medium, and the nature of dark matter and
dark energy.
Pulsar-Neutron Star and Pulsar-Black Hole Systems

Pulsar-Neutron Star Systems Pulsar-Black Hole Systems

Some pulsars are in orbit around other neutron stars, creating Some pulsars are in orbit around black holes, creating a
a pulsar-neutron star binary system. The interaction between pulsar-black hole binary system. The interaction between the
the pulsar and its companion star can provide insights into pulsar and the black hole can provide insights into the
the evolution of binary stars and the properties of highly properties of black holes and the evolution of binary systems.
dense matter.
Importance of Pulsars in Astrophysics Research
1 Probing Extreme 2 Testing Fundamental 3 Advancing Technology
Conditions Physics
The development of new
Pulsars allow us to study matter The high precision and accuracy techniques and instruments for
and energy under extreme of pulsar observations provide a pulsar observation has led to
conditions, such as high unique opportunity to test advances in fields such as radio
magnetic fields, strong fundamental physics, such as the astronomy, data analysis, and
gravitational fields, and extreme equivalence principle, instrumentation.
densities. gravitational redshift, and the
nature of dark matter and dark
energy.
Future Prospects and Challenges in Pulsar Observation

New Instruments and Techniques Interference and Noise Data Analysis

New instruments and techniques for Pulsar observations are affected by The large amount of data produced by pulsar
observing pulsars are being developed, such interference and noise from a variety of observations requires advanced data analysis
as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which sources, such as the Earth's ionosphere and and deep learning techniques and high-
will be the world's largest radio telescope. man-made sources. New techniques for performance computing. New algorithms and
reducing interference and noise are being methods for data analysis are being
developed. developed.
Bibliography
▪ https://public.nrao.edu/radio-astronomy/pulsars/

▪ Some of the images has been generated using Computer Graphics by ARNAB HALDER.

▪ https://www.nasa.gov/subject/8731/pulsars/

▪ https://www.isro.gov.in/Astrosat_Spacecraft.html

▪ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23702544_A_Review_of_Theories_of_Pulsars

▪ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050920301721
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