Captain, we are approaching a neutron star. What could have caused it, Spock? Hm, logically, a massive star that reached the limit of mass may have gone supervona and create the neutron star as a result of it's explosion. You pointed ear computer brained two hearted Vulcan, any college kid knows that when a star goes supernova it not only can spawn a neutron star but it could just as well spawn a black hole. Yes, doctor, however, in this case we are clearly heading into collision witha neutron star. Spock, could the explosion that spwaned this neutron star have been from a small or medium star? No Captain, either a small or medium star would not have had enough mass unless it had a binary companion. the star that spawned the neutron ahead of us was large. And you will probably tell us that is went supernova because it reached its maximum mass, isn't that what you are going to tell us you pointed eared, green blooded... Doctor, in this respect you are correct. The large star continued to grow until it's mass exceeded the maximum and well beyond the Chandrasekhar Limit. thus, the neutron star ahead of us. I would further add that had the parent star been .... 1.4 solar masses, it would be a white dwarf, 2 to 3 solar masses it would be a neutron star 3 or more solar masses it would be a black hole. ...... This one ahead of us is a neutron star. It emits magnetic radiation at a regular rate, symptomatic or the PULSAR lighthouse effect displayed by neutron stars. An observation first made in 1054 in the Earth area of China. Spock, could this be s singularity? No, captain. A singularity would have zero radius. It would be the place where all matter of a black hole would fall. Remember, this is the original generation and not voyager. So, spock, you are implying this neutron star has a radius. Yes, captain, and one that can be measures in terms of Schwarschild radius. Now, wait a minute you vulcan, you can't measure that star with Schwartschild radius! Yes, doctor, you can. the measurement may not be correct but it could be done..just as it is possible to measure your tongue with a phaser. Spock, could I get a better look at this thing with a telescope. Captain, I feel your question merely demonstrates you are runing out of ways of turning this script in to an Astronomy lesson. You should well know that objects near the event horizon do not lend themselves to telescopic observation. In addition, while a pulsar may give off some visible light, for the most part do not shine in the normal sense and have to be detected in other ways. Spock, will we be able to reach escape velocity to break out of this neutron star's gravitiational pull? Captain, as we are on the event horizon if time dilation is possible we will break free. And if time dilation is not possible you rabit eared Vulcan excuse fo the energizer bunny! Then, doctor, we will be pulled in and become a part of the star. Spock, what's this, the star is shifting in color..to red. Yes, that is red shift captain. It appears that the neutron star is well outside our event horizon and we are no longer moving in the same direction. that is why we never seemed to cross its boundry. As a matter of fact, I think this pulsar...this neutron star... What spock? What you lop-eared vulcan? Is just a spot on the viewing screen..my bad.
Email: paulborkowski@galaxy5.com