NASA’s NICER Reveals 1st-ever Pulsar Surface Map

The video explores the study of pulsar JPO 30, located in Pisces, using NASA's NICER telescope. NICER's precise X-ray measurements have provided new insights into the size and structure of pulsars, revealing that JPO 30's appearance differs from traditional textbook depictions. The pulsar's mass affects space-time, allowing scientists to observe light from its far side. Contrary to the simple magnetic dipole model, JPO 30's hotspots are located in its southern hemisphere, with varying shapes. These findings suggest that pulsar magnetic fields are more complex than previously thought, opening new avenues for understanding neutron stars.

What is the primary function of NASA's NICER telescope?

• To measure the distance of stars

• To study the surface of planets

• To capture images of black holes

• To make detailed X-ray measurements of neutron stars

How does the mass of a pulsar affect its appearance?

• It causes the pulsar to emit more light

• It changes the color of the pulsar

• It makes the pulsar appear smaller

• It distorts space-time, making the pulsar look larger

What happens to the hotspots on a pulsar if its mass is low?

• They change color

• They increase in number

• They become more visible

• They disappear when rotating to the far side

What did the University of Amsterdam team suggest about JPO 30's hotspots?

• They are all located in the northern hemisphere

• There is one small circular spot and another long crescent-shaped one

• They are evenly distributed across the pulsar

• They match the textbook depiction exactly

What additional feature did the Maryland-led team find on JPO 30?

• A fourth hotspot in the northern hemisphere

• A third cooler spot near the south rotational pole

• A ring of hotspots around the equator

• A large hotspot covering the entire southern hemisphere