Black widow pulsar

Definition

A black widow pulsar is a type of millisecond pulsar that forms in a binary star system, where the pulsar's intense radiation and stellar wind gradually strip away and consume its companion star. This evolutionary process can lead to the eventual destruction of the companion star.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Black widow pulsars have extremely short rotational periods, often just a few milliseconds.
2. They are named after the black widow spider due to their behavior of consuming their companions.
3. The companion stars in these systems are typically low-mass stars or brown dwarfs.
4. Black widow pulsars emit intense gamma rays and X-rays as they accrete material from their companions.
5. These systems provide crucial insights into the end stages of binary star evolution and the recycling process of pulsars.

Review Questions

Related terms

Millisecond Pulsar:

A rapidly rotating neutron star with rotation periods ranging from about 1 to 10 milliseconds.

Binary Star System: A system where two stars orbit around their common center of mass.

Accretion Disk:

A rotating disk of gas and dust that accumulates around a central object, such as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.