Real Science

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

POSSIBLE CLOSEST NEUTRON STAR TO EARTH FOUND

Using NASA's Swift satellite, McGill University and Penn State astronomers have identified an object that is likely one of the closest neutron stars to Earth -- and possibly the closest. The object, located in the constellation Ursa Minor, is nicknamed Calvera, after the villain in the movie "The Magnificent Seven." If confirmed, it would be only the eighth known "isolated neutron star" -- meaning a neutron star that does not have an associated supernova remnant, binary companion or radio pulsations. "The seven previously known isolated neutron stars are known collectively as 'The Magnificent Seven' within the community, and so the name Calvera is a

bit of an inside joke on our part," said co-discoverer Derek Fox of Penn State. A paper describing the research will be published in the Astrophysical Journal.

Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/25452

[Arch Angel 0]

Excellent article. :)