The Fermi Large Area Telescope, designed for gamma-ray observations, has significantly expanded its catalog of gamma-ray pulsars, revealing 294 previously unidentified stars. This marks a substantial growth in the catalog, which now encompasses over 340 objects. Since the telescope’s initiation in 2008, the number of known gamma-ray pulsars has surged from less than 10 to the current extensive compilation.
Gamma-ray pulsars are a subset of neutron stars, formed from the collapsed cores of massive stars, and distinguished by emitting powerful jets of radiation from their poles. The pulsars’ distinctive feature is their rapid spinning, with some completing a rotation in as little as 10 milliseconds. The pulsars included in the catalog are categorized as millisecond pulsars (MSPs), showcasing their remarkable precision in timings.
The Third Fermi Large Area Telescope Catalog of Gamma-Ray Pulsars is considered a valuable resource for astrophysical research, encompassing a range of topics such as cosmic rays, stellar evolution, gravitational wave exploration, and dark matter investigations. Approximately 10% of known pulsars are now identified as gamma-ray emitters, offering insights into the characteristics that distinguish them from the radio pulsar population.
Moreover, the catalog features 144 millisecond pulsars, highlighting their potential applications in space navigation and the detection of gravitational waves. The precise timing of pulsar signals enables scientists to conduct tests related to relativity and observe anomalies that indicate the presence of gravitational waves resulting from significant cosmic events.
Astronomer Lucas Guillemot from the University of Orleans in France notes the unexpected predominance of millisecond pulsars in gamma-ray emissions, constituting half of the catalog. With the continuous observations of the Fermi Telescope, the researchers anticipate further additions to the catalog, suggesting the potential identification of around 100 more gamma-ray pulsars.
Despite being in operation for over 15 years, the Fermi Telescope remains a vital tool for astronomical discoveries, emphasizing its role as a key contributor to advancing our understanding of pulsars and neutron stars.
Read Now :U.S. and Australia Set to Conduct Joint Hypersonics Experiments in 2023
