When a massive star runs out of fuel, it collapses and explodes in a supernova. If the star is 7 to 19 times the mass of our Sun, it leaves behind a neutron star.
Photo Credit: NASA
If the original star’s mass is over 20 times that of the Sun, it becomes a black hole instead.
Photo Credit: File Photo
Neutron stars are the densest objects we can observe directly.
Photo Credit: NASA
Some neutron stars, called pulsars, spin incredibly fast. The fastest known pulsar, PSR J1748-2446ad, spins 43,000 times per minute, faster than a blender.
Photo Credit: NASA
Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit radio pulses at regular intervals.
Photo Credit: NASA
Neutron stars have magnetic fields billions of times stronger than Earth.