ScienceJuly 13, 2026
pulsar
/ˈpʌlsɑːr/
Definition
A highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation out of its magnetic poles, which appear as regular pulses of energy as the star spins.
Etymology
The word is a portmanteau created by combining the words 'pulsating' and 'star.' It was coined in 1968 after the first discovery of these objects in 1967 by Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish.
In the news
The article mentions a 'lighthouse' pulsar to illustrate how researchers study celestial objects by observing their rhythmic, repeating signals. This highlights the precise nature of space observation methods used in modern astrophysics.
NASA’s SunRISE Mission Changes Launch Vehicle to SpaceX Falcon Heavy
Read the full article ↗NASA Science (.gov)