Listen: The imperfect world of pulsars
Here in the Universe, there are a few things that are as close-to-perfect as can be. The Sun, for instance is the roundest object in the Universe, but other stars are rounder, with white dwarfs and neutron stars exhibiting even more perfectly roundness. Meanwhile, in terms of keeping time, we might think of the spinning Earth as a wonderful clock — after all, we base our calendar off of it — but…
The Universe is home to a few near-perfect entities, such as the Sun, which is the roundest object, and white dwarfs and neutron stars, which are even more spherical. Earth serves as an imperfect timekeeper due to its gradual slowing and shifting distance from the Sun, unlike an ideal clock. The most accurate natural timekeepers are millisecond pulsars, whose timing can be measured and later verified over extended periods, like a year.
Their existence and regular pulsations are intriguing, but a new discovery has emerged: these pulsars exhibit changes in their pulse profiles, altering the energy released and timing within each pulse. Co-discoverer Rami Mandow of Macquarie University joins the podcast to discuss millisecond pulsars, their formation, evolution, and their status as the most precise cosmic clocks. This revelation uncovers a less-perfect Universe than previously understood.
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