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Neutron Stars and Black Holes


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