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Prelude: The Dark Star

darXtar UFO
Image Courtesy of Désiré de Cleen
Officially known as the Neutron Star. Scientists believe that this phenomenon is the final product from a Supernova outburst, caused by a collapsing star. The Neutron Star is described as a peculiar celestial body, whose mass is on par with the mass of our sun, although within a radius less than 15km. It's density is therefore enormous - even when speaking in cosmic terms - measuring an incredible 1014g/cm3, consisting entirely of degenerated Neutron gas. One single teaspoonful of this substance would on this planet (Terra) weight approximately 100,000,000 tons. The inside temperature of this massive dwarf is calculated to 10,000,000,000 degrees centigrade. The surrounding photosphere (the visible surface of a Sun) is more than 10mm thick and the radiation leaking from the Star is so extremely low, there is no possible way to observe it with optical instruments. In 1967 Prof. H. Hewish of the Mullard Observatory, Cambridge, England discovered what is now known as the CP 1919, the Cambridge Pulsar. Theoretical studies have since then shown that the Pulsar is probably a high speed rotating Neutron Star. To this date more than 50 Pulsars are known to scientists. They believe that the Neutron Star carries the key to the mysterious cosmic radiation. In Space we trust.

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