In the 4U 1820-30 binary system, starThe neutron star spins so fast on its central axis that it produces 716 revolutions per second.
The famous pulsar PSR J1748-2446ad is the only one found rotating at this speed, and no other star has been discovered recording a higher rotation speed.
This discovery, says the team led by astrophysicist Gaurava Jaisawal of the Technical University of Denmark, confirms the current theoretical upper limit for the rotation speed of neutron stars, which is about 730 rotations per second.
“We studied thermonuclear explosions in this system and then discovered extraordinary oscillations,” Jaisawal said. “If future observations prove this, the neutron star 4U 1820-30 will be one of the fastest rotating objects ever observed in the universe.” The team's research was published in The Astrophysical Journal.
(source: AFP)
