Neutron Star Displays “Weird Physics”
Posted by Ryan on February 23rd, 2011
The Weird Things staff loves all kinds of science, but we hold a special place in our heart for “weird science”, which is exactly what astronomers from the University of Alberta are saying is going on inside the neutron star Cassiopeia A. Astronomer Craig Heinke’s team has found that this neutron star contains a core of superfluid, a friction-less liquid that could seemingly defy the laws of gravity. The astronomers started researching the star after a sudden temperature drop and they determined that the temperature drop was due to the fact that its core transformed into a superfluid and is venting heat in the process.
“If you could put some of this superfluid in a jar it would flow up the walls of the container and over the edge,” said Heinke.
[Physorg]
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