The polarisation of light emitted by a neutron star

This artist’s view shows how the light coming from the surface of a strongly magnetic neutron star (left) becomes linearly polarised as it travels through the vacuum of space close to the star on its way to the observer on Earth (right). The polarisation of the observed light in the extremely strong magnetic field suggests that the empty space around the neutron star is subject to a quantum effect known as vacuum birefringence, a prediction of quantum electrodynamics (QED). This effect was predicted in the 1930s but has not been observed before.

The magnetic and electric field directions of the light rays are shown by the red and blue lines. Model simulations by Roberto Taverna (University of Padua, Italy) and Denis Gonzalez Caniulef (UCL/MSSL, UK) show how these align along a preferred direction as the light passes through the region around the neutron star. As they become aligned the light becomes polarised, and this polarisation can be detected by sensitive instruments on Earth.

Crédit:

ESO/L. Calçada

À propos de l'image

Identification:eso1641a
Type:Dessin
Date de publication:30 novembre 2016 12:00
Communiqués de presse en rapport:eso1641
Taille:6000 x 3534 px

À propos de l'objet

Type:Milky Way : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Neutron Star
Catégorie:Stars

Image Formats

Grand JPEG
1,8 Mio

Zoomable


Fonds d'écran

1024x768
124,4 Kio
1280x1024
175,1 Kio
1600x1200
233,9 Kio
1920x1200
264,2 Kio
2048x1536
342,1 Kio