EMBARGOED For Release: 2:00 p.m. EDT, Thursday, May 21, 2009
Graphics: "Missing Link" Revealing Fast-Spinning Pulsar Mysteries
Material from distended "normal" star. right, streams onto
Click on image for full-sized version.
Animation of orbits of neutron star with accretion disk and "normal" companion star during mass-transfer phase.
Animation of J1023 binary system showing period of mass transfer from companion star to the neutron star, then cessation of mass transfer and turn-on of radio pulsar.
ANIMATION CREDIT: Bill Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSF
Tuesday, 19-May-2009 18:29:23 EDT