neutron
NOO-tron
Definition
A dense, neutral subatomic particle that, along with protons, composes the nucleus of an atom; in the context of this article, it refers to a type of celestial object composed largely of these particles.
Etymology
Coined in 1921 by combining the Latin 'neuter' (meaning 'neither') with the suffix '-on' (used in physics to denote particles like electrons). It was originally proposed as a hypothetical particle that would possess no net electric charge.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe RX J1856.5-3754, a neutron star, which provided earlier, albeit less conclusive, evidence of the vacuum birefringence phenomenon that the current magnetar study is exploring.
Observations of a magnetar have strengthened the evidence for a quantum effect in a vacuum
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