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AsteriaStar
Neutron-star physics

Pulsar Glitch

A sudden, tiny speed-up in a pulsar's otherwise steadily slowing rotation, followed by a gradual relaxation. Glitches are thought to be caused by the sudden transfer of angular momentum from a superfluid deep inside the neutron star to its solid crust, giving a rare window onto matter at supernuclear density.

Highlights

  • A sudden spin-up revealing the star's superfluid interior

Across compact objects

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.