A New Galactic Object Discovered: The Quark Star

So you're telling me we haven't seen it all?

I found this article from the National Science Foundation...

Link

Astronomers recently announced that they have found a novel explanation for a rare type of super-luminous stellar explosion that may have produced a new type of object known as a quark star.

Three exceptionally luminous supernovae explosions have been observed in recent years. One of them was first observed using a robotic telescope at the California Institute of Technology's (Caltech) Palomar Observatory.

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These three supernovae, each 100 times brighter than a typical supernova, have been difficult to explain. The Canadian research team thinks the explosions herald the creation of a previously unobserved and new class of objects, designated as quark stars.

A quark star is a hypothetical type of star composed of ultra dense quark matter. Quarks are the fundamental components of protons and neutrons, which make up the nucleus of atoms. The most dense objects known to exist today are neutron stars--stars composed entirely of tightly packed neutrons. A typical neutron star is some 16 miles across, yet has a mass one and a half times the mass of our Sun.

Wow, pretty cool! Just when you think we'd found 'em all!

Bet it's not the only one though, probably loads more things out there we haven't seen or classified yet. At least this is another step in the road!

Thanks for sharing this!

A very interesting discovery, but already being discussed (albeit a bit thin on replies right now) here: www.abovetopsecret.com...

Good point, C.H.U.D.


Super-luminous supernovae - Only 2 days old.

Please direct your comments there.



A quick Search or scan of the particular forum page, will usually help avoid duplicate topics.


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