A Neutron Star in the Dust: Webb’s Incredible Discovery inside SN 1987A

In this video, I tell you about the discovery of a neutron star in the supernova SN 1987A by the James Webb Space Telescope. A neutron star is the ultra-dense remnant of a massive star that exploded in a supernova. A neutron star is so dense that a teaspoon of its material would weigh billions of tons. A neutron star is also so magnetic that it can generate beams of radiation that sweep across the sky like a cosmic lighthouse. A neutron star is, in short, one of the most fascinating and extreme objects in the cosmos. But finding a neutron star is not easy, especially if it’s hidden in the dust and gas of a supernova remnant. That’s why astronomers have been searching for one in SN 1987A for over three decades, without success. SN 1987A is the closest and brightest supernova observed in modern times, and it occurred in a nearby galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST for short, astronomers have finally found the best evidence yet for the existence of a neutron star in SN 1987A. The JWST is the most advanced and ambitious space observatory ever launched, and it has been operating since late 2023. The JWST is designed to observe the universe in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is invisible to our eyes, but can penetrate through dust and reveal hidden wonders. The JWST has a huge mirror, 6.5 meters in diameter, and a suite of sophisticated instruments that can capture stunning images and spectra of distant and faint objects. Using the JWST, astronomers have observed the infrared emission from the dust and gas in SN 1987A, and they have noticed something unusual. The emission is not symmetric, but rather skewed to one side. This suggests that there is something heating up the dust on that side, something that is very hot and very energetic. Something like a neutron star. To confirm this hypothesis, astronomers have also analyzed the polarization of the infrared light, which is a measure of how the light waves are oriented. They have found that the polarization is also asymmetric, and that it matches the expected pattern of a neutron star’s magnetic field. This is a strong indication that the neutron star is indeed there, and that it is spinning and emitting radiation, like a pulsar. This discovery is a major breakthrough for the field of astrophysics, as it reveals the origin and nature of the neutron star, as well as the fate of the massive star that exploded in SN 1987A. It also demonstrates the incredible capabilities of the JWST, and the collaborative efforts of the scientific community. In this video, I explain how the JWST detected the neutron star, what are the properties and origin of the neutron star, and what are the implications and future prospects of the discovery. So, stay tuned and get ready to learn more about this amazing cosmic mystery.

Best Telescopes for beginners:
Celestron 70mm Travel Scope

Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

Celestron – StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ

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#NSN #neutronstar #supernova #SN1987A #JWST #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope #astrophysics #astronomy #cosmos #space #science #discovery #breakthrough #mystery #solved #extreme #dense #magnetic #radiation #pulsar #infrared #polarization #dust #heating #LMC #LargeMagellanicCloud #stellar #evolution #cosmic #rays #black #holes #NASA #Astronomy

[jackieking]

I saw the "new star" in the LMC in 1987. And now this! In many ways the best of times to have been alive.

[infotration]

If we support science and technology we would definitely find new place for living in space.

[Mnerd]

Lol. Only the James Webb Space Telescope 🔭 is the only telescope outside of Earth and the surface of Earth before it got deployed in space to have it's lenses to be advanced enough to snapshot a picture at extreme high resolution more than 8K or 16K resolution which is insane. I do not think there is any TV or monitor that can support the resolution from the James Webb Space Telescope and is the only telescope that humans have created to detect any extreme cosmic phenomenon such as black holes, neutron stars, pulsars, quasars, and magnetars. But I do not think it can detect wormholes.

[Larrymh]

Damn you! All this was a tease. No explanations of the images.

[timpos]

I like how the astronomer on the ground is seeing the neutron star in his 70 mm explore scientific Chinese refractor. Where can I get a refractor like that?

[madmantrader]

a neutron star is headed right towards earth

[GndolfTheGry]

Cool squares. What's the point if the resolution is like 10x6 or whatever it looks like? 🧐

[zekesanchez]

"Gotta Blast!"
_Jimmy Neutron

[AlonsoSepulveda-jj]

I vote for build a space telescope
named "Giordano Bruno"
Like if you agree.

[wardaldo]

Looking at the stars Whilst humanity DESTROYS the earth 🌍

[AyushRaj-ckxc]

Sir please pin me I love your videos 😊

[JeffGarrett-ouxs]

It's the most powerful telescope of our time but I wouldn't say it the most powerful one ever made because back around 15, 000 years ago man was far more advanced than we are now and had telescopes much more powerful than the James web telescope

[christinegillich]

All the teleskop's are
for Nothing, when you :
Not find, the Love
for " God"
and " Jesus Christ "