The temperature of the hot spots caused by the impact of transferred matter onto the surface of a pulsar can be 10⁸ K. What is the peak wavelength in the blackbody spectrum of such a spot, and in what range of the electromagnetic spectrum does it occur?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The peak wavelength of the blackbody radiation can be found using Wien's displacement law, which states that the product of the temperature and the peak wavelength is a constant. Given the temperature of the hot spots on a pulsar surface is extremely high, the peak wavelength will be shifted towards the shorter wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically in the X-ray range.

The Temperature of the Hot Spots Caused by the Impact