Astronomers discover the lowest-mass double neutron star system to date
Neutron stars, the extremely dense remains of massive stars that exploded at the end of their lives, are widely studied astrophysical objects. Some of these stars, known as pulsars, spin and send out beams of radio waves, making them appear to pulse as the beams sweep past Earth.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered the lowest-mass double neutron star system to date. This system, known as PSR J1856−0039, consists of two extremely dense neutron stars orbiting each other. The combined mass of the stars is remarkably low, and their orbit is gradually shrinking, consistent with the predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity.
The discovery was made using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in China. With its exceptionally precise timing measurements, PSR J1856−0039 offers valuable insights into the behavior of neutron stars and tests of general relativity.
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