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neutron star
noun
: a dense celestial object that consists primarily of closely packed neutrons and that results from the collapse of a much larger stellar body
Examples of neutron star in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the recent observation was the first between a mass-gap object and a neutron star.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 7 Apr. 2024
What’s not clear is whether SN 1987A’s remnant is just a neutron star.
—Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024
Enlarge / Pulsars are spinning neutron stars, the relics of massive stars gone supernova.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 6 Oct. 2023
To find the speed of neutron star jets, the team observed two neutron stars (4U 1728-34 and 4U 1636-536) at radio and wavelengths using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, and at X-ray wavelengths using the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
The increase in mass and energy can then lead to a supernova, leaving the star as a neutron star or a black hole.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
This can happen slowly over a long period of time in a low-mass star, or within seconds during the highly violent merger of two neutron stars.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 4 July 2023
These wrinkles, called gravitational waves, travel through the universe at the speed of light and carry information about the epic cosmic phenomena that created them, such as massive collisions between two black holes, two neutron stars or one of each.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024
Again, astronomers observed the ruddy aftermath of a neutron star collision.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'neutron star.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near neutron star
Cite this Entry
“Neutron star.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutron%20star. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
neutron star
noun
: a very dense object in space that consists of closely packed neutrons and is produced by the collapse of a much larger star
More from Merriam-Webster on neutron star
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for neutron star
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neutron star
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