Why do neutron stars spin so fast after a supernova?
Quick Answer
When a massive star’s core collapses, conservation of angular momentum makes the remnant spin much faster, like an ice skater pulling in their arms. Some neutron stars rotate dozens to hundreds of times per second.
The Full Story
A neutron star forms when a massive star’s core collapses during a supernova. The core shrinks from a size larger than Earth to a city-sized object about 20 kilometers across, so its rotation speeds up dramatically. This is the same physical principle that makes a spinning figure skater rotate faster when they pull in their arms. The fastest known pulsars can spin more than 700 times per second.
Key Facts
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"How does a dead star become a cosmic speedster?"
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