In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, scientists have discovered that neutron stars are capable of propelling powerful jets into space at speeds that reach approximately one-third the speed of light. This revelation, made possible by a cosmic "speed camera," sheds new light on the mysterious nature of these energetic cosmic beams.

Jets, which are energetic cosmic beams, are commonly observed throughout the universe. They are generated when materials such as dust and gas are drawn towards dense central objects like black holes or neutron stars. These jets carry away gravitational energy released by the infalling gas, recycling it on larger scales in the surrounding environment.

While black hole jets have been extensively studied due to their brightness, neutron star jets have remained relatively enigmatic as they tend to be fainter. Neutron stars, which are incredibly dense remnants of once-massive stars, possess solid surfaces and magnetic fields. Unlike black holes, gas falling onto neutron stars releases fewer gravitational energies. As a result, understanding how neutron star jets are launched becomes particularly valuable.

Measuring the speeds of these jets has proven to be an enormous challenge. However, a team of researchers led by Thomas Russell from the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics in Palermo devised a unique experiment to overcome this obstacle. By utilizing X-ray wavelengths as a reference point, the team succeeded in accurately measuring the speed of neutron star jets.

Neutron stars acquire matter from nearby companion stars, which enriches their mass. When this material accumulates to critical levels, it triggers a thermonuclear explosion that lasts for a few seconds to minutes, producing a burst of X-rays. Surprisingly, instead of disrupting the neutron star jets, these explosions appeared to enhance their power.

By analyzing the X-ray bursts and observing the neutron star jets using the CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array and the European Space Agency's Integral telescope, the researchers were able to determine the launch time and speed of the jets. Astonishingly, the measured speed closely approached the "escape speed" of a neutron star, which is approximately half the speed of light.

This new technique for measuring neutron star jet speeds opens up avenues for further research. The next step for scientists is to study how the speed of these jets varies among neutron stars with different masses and rotation rates, allowing them to directly test theoretical models and gain a deeper understanding of how these powerful cosmic jets are launched.

The findings of this study mark a significant milestone in unraveling the mysteries of our universe. The revelation that neutron stars possess such immense power confirms their pivotal role in shaping the evolution of galaxies. With each new discovery, scientists move one step closer to unlocking the secrets of these cosmic powerhouses.

Reference:
Russell, T. D., et al. (2024). Thermonuclear explosions on neutron stars reveal the speed of their jets. Nature, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07133-5.