Formation of Neutron Star Superfluid
This set of illustrations shows some details of how a neutron superfluid begins to form in a neutron star. It shows a schematic close-up of the sea of neutrons in the ultra-dense core of a neutron star. We follow the two neutrons in the foreground that are moving towards each other in the first panel. The motion of both neutrons is slow because of interactions, via the strong nuclear force, that they have with the neutron sea. If the temperature in the core falls below a critical value, the two neutrons can form a pair, resulting in the emission of a pair of neutrinos (2nd panel). This neutron pair then moves off at high speed because it has different physical properties and is no longer held back by interactions with the surrounding sea of neutrons (3rd panel). It now has superfluid properties. The neutrinos are lost by the neutron star, causing the star to lose energy and cool down.
Size: 7200px × 1855px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2011, 21st, art, artist, artwork, astronomical, astronomy, body, celestial, century, composite, concept, conceptual, core, deep, diagram, drawing, formation, heavenly, illustration, image, neutron, object, remnant, science, sky, space, star, stellar, superfluid
