PBS Space Time

The Boundary Between Black Holes & Neutron Stars

PBS Space Time

Summary

Recent advancements in gravitational wave astronomy reveal a significant discovery involving an object that lies between the categories of neutron stars and black holes. Detected by the LIGO and Virgo observatories, this event marks a pivotal moment in understanding the universe's most extreme states of matter. The gravitational wave event, which occurred on August 14, 2019, involved two compact bodies merging, one identified as a black hole with a mass 23 times that of the sun, while the other, at 2.6 solar masses, challenges existing theories about neutron stars and black holes.

The lighter object's mass is particularly intriguing, as it approaches the theoretical limit for neutron stars yet remains below the expected minimum mass for black holes, which is around five solar masses. This anomaly raises questions about the formation and evolution of these celestial bodies. If the 2.6 solar mass object is indeed a neutron star, it could provide insights into the dense matter states within such stars. Conversely, if it is a black hole, it would necessitate a reevaluation of current astrophysical models regarding stellar death and black hole formation.

As gravitational wave detections become more frequent, scientists anticipate that future events will yield further information about the nature of stars, gravity, and the fundamental properties of matter in extreme conditions. This ongoing research continues to unlock the mysteries of the universe, offering a deeper understanding of the cosmic phenomena that shape our reality.

Show Notes

PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: http://to.pbs.org/DonateSPACE↓ More info below ↓Uploaded 20-07-20Sign Up on Patreon to get access to the Space Time Discord! https://www.patreon.com/pbsspacetimeCheck out the Space Time Merch Storehttps://pbsspacetime.com/Sign up for the mailing list to get episode notifications and hear special announcements!https://mailchi.mp/1a6eb8f2717d/spacetimeWhen we detected the very first gravitational wave, a new window was opened to the mysteries of the universe. We knew we’d see things previously thought impossible. And we just did - an object on the boundary between neutron stars and black holes, which promises to reveal the secrets of both.Hosted by Matt O'DowdWritten by Matt O'DowdGraphics by Leonardo Scholzer, Yago Ballarini, and Pedro OsinskiDirected by: Andrew KornhaberCamera Operator: Bahaar GholipourExecutive Producers: Eric Brown and Andrew KornhaberPrevious Episodes Referenced:Ligo’s First Detection of Gravitational Waves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw-i_VKd6WoThe Future of Gravitational Waves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ2RNBAFLj0How to build a black hole https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx4562gesw0&vl=enStrange Stars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4RNGRyzt10Special Thanks to Our Patreon SupportersBig Bang SupportersRobert DoxtatorAhmad JodehCaed AldwychRadu NegulescuAlexander TamasMorgan HoughJuan BenetFabrice EapDavid NicklasQuasar SupportersAlec S-LChristina OegrenMark HeisingVinnie FalcoHypernova Supporterswilliam bryanJulian TyackeSyed AnsarJohn R. SlavikMathewDanton SpiveyDonal BotkinJohn PollockEdmund FokschanerJoseph SalomoneHank SMatthew O'Connorchuck zegarJordan YoungJohn HofmannTimothy McCullochGamma Ray Burst Supportersfieldsa eleanoryCody LubinskyPeter MertzElliot AzizollahiKevin O'ConnellBryan DawleyRichard DeightonIsaac SuttellDevon RosenthalOliver FlanaganMikhail KlakotskiyDawn M FinkBleys GoodsonDarryl J LyleRobert WalterjechamtBruce BIsmael MontecelM DMark Daniel CohenAndrew RichmondSimon OliphantMirik GogriDavid HughesAria AhmadBrandon LattinYannick WeynsNickolas Andrew FreemanProtius ProtiusBrian BlanchardShane CalimlimTybie FitzhughPatrick SuttonRobert IlardiEric KieblerTatiana VorovchenkoCraig StonahaMichael ConroyGraydon GossFrederic SimonGreg SmithSean WarniahaTonyfaceJohn RobinsonA GKevin LeeNick WrightAdrian HatchPaul RoseYurii KonovaliukJohn FunaiCass CostelloGeoffrey ShortBradley JenkinsKyle HoferTim StephaniLuaanAlecZeroMalte UblNick VirtueScott GossettDavid BethalaDan WarrenJohn GriffithDaniel LyonsJosh ThomasDFaulkKevin WarneAndreas NautschBrandon labonte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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