Neutron stars are observed to rotate as fast as 716 Hz. Astrophysicists believe that they are spun-up by accretion of matter and angular momentum in binary star systems. However, the "r-mode" instability of rotating neutron stars, which is driven by gravitational radiation reaction, appears to prevent spin up via accretion to rotation frequencies above about 350 Hz.
Event Details
Date/Time:
-
Date:Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - 11:00am
Location:
Marcus Nanotech Conf.