Neutron star

A neutron star is a type of compact star that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star after a supernova. Neutron stars are the densest and smallest stars known to exist in the Universe; with a radius of only about 11–11.5 km (7 miles), they can have a mass of about twice that of the Sun.

Neutron stars are composed almost entirely of neutrons, which are subatomic particles with no net electrical charge and with slightly larger mass than protons. Neutron stars are very hot and are supported against further collapse by quantum degeneracy pressure due to the phenomenon described by the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two neutrons (or any other fermionic particles) can occupy the same place and quantum state simultaneously.

A neutron star has a mass of at least 1.1 and perhaps up to 3 solar masses (M_☉), though the highest observed mass is 2.01 M_☉. Neutron stars typically have a surface temperature around 7005600000000000000♠6×10⁵ K. Neutron stars have overall densities of 7017370000000000000♠3.7×10¹⁷ to 7017590000000000000♠5.9×10¹⁷ kg/m³ (7014260000000000000♠2.6×10¹⁴ to 7014409999999999999♠4.1×10¹⁴ times the density of the Sun), which is comparable to the approximate density of an atomic nucleus of 7017300000000000000♠3×10¹⁷ kg/m³. The neutron star's density varies from below 7009100000000000000♠1×10⁹ kg/m³ in the crust—increasing with depth—to above 7017600000000000000♠6×10¹⁷ or 7017800000000000000♠8×10¹⁷ kg/m³ deeper inside (denser than an atomic nucleus). A normal-sized matchbox containing neutron-star material would have a mass of approximately 5 trillion tons or 1000 km³ of Earth rock.

Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)

"Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)" is a song by the English alternative rock band Muse, featured on the soundtrack to the 2010 film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Recorded by the band in 2010, the song was released as the lead single from the album on 17 May 2010. The song is available to purchase as a digital download from the band's official website, among several other digital sources.

The single became a top ten hit in Italy. It was also certified gold by Federation of the Italian Music Industry.

History

The song was first announced on Stephenie Meyer's official website. BBC Radio 1 aired the full song at 7.30pm on 17 May 2010, during Zane Lowe's show, accompanied by an interview with Matt Bellamy. Matt Bellamy explained that the song was written after he split with his longtime girlfriend at the end of 2009, and was based on his feelings at the beginning of their relationship. A 30-second preview of the music video is displayed on the official MTV website. While Muse featured on the Twilight and New Moon soundtracks previously (with "Supermassive Black Hole" and a special remix of "I Belong to You" respectively), this marks the first time the band has produced the lead single for a movie.

Neutron

The neutron is a subatomic particle, symbol n or n0, with no net electric charge and a mass slightly larger than that of a proton. Protons and neutrons, each with mass approximately one atomic mass unit, constitute the nucleus of an atom, and they are collectively referred to as nucleons. Their properties and interactions are described by nuclear physics.

The nucleus consists of Z protons, where Z is called the atomic number, and N neutrons, where N is the neutron number. The atomic number defines the chemical properties of the atom, and the neutron number determines the isotope or nuclide. The terms isotope and nuclide are often used synonymously, but they refer to chemical and nuclear properties, respectively. The atomic mass number, symbol A, equals Z+N. For example, carbon has atomic number 6, and its abundant carbon-12 isotope has 6 neutrons, whereas its rare carbon-13 isotope has 7 neutrons. Some elements occur in nature with only one stable isotope, such as fluorine (see stable nuclide). Other elements occur as many stable isotopes, such as tin with ten stable isotopes. Even though it is not a chemical element, the neutron is included in the table of nuclides.

Spaceflight

Spaceflight (also written space flight) is ballistic flight into or through outer space. Spaceflight can occur with spacecraft with or without humans on board. Examples of human spaceflight include the U.S. Apollo Moon landing and Space Shuttle programs and the Russian Soyuz program, as well as the ongoing International Space Station. Examples of unmanned spaceflight include space probes that leave Earth orbit, as well as satellites in orbit around Earth, such as communications satellites. These operate either by telerobotic control or are fully autonomous.

Spaceflight is used in space exploration, and also in commercial activities like space tourism and satellite telecommunications. Additional non-commercial uses of spaceflight include space observatories, reconnaissance satellites and other Earth observation satellites.

A spaceflight typically begins with a rocket launch, which provides the initial thrust to overcome the force of gravity and propels the spacecraft from the surface of the Earth. Once in space, the motion of a spacecraft—both when unpropelled and when under propulsion—is covered by the area of study called astrodynamics. Some spacecraft remain in space indefinitely, some disintegrate during atmospheric reentry, and others reach a planetary or lunar surface for landing or impact.

Goddard Space Flight Center

The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. GSFC, one of ten major NASA field centers, is named in recognition of Dr. Robert H. Goddard (1882–1945), the pioneer of modern rocket propulsion in the United States.

GSFC is the largest combined organization of scientists and engineers in the United States dedicated to increasing knowledge of the Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe via observations from space. GSFC is a major U.S. laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft. GSFC conducts scientific investigation, development and operation of space systems, and development of related technologies. Goddard scientists can develop and support a mission, and Goddard engineers and technicians can design and build the spacecraft for that mission. Goddard scientist John C. Mather shared the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on COBE.