A pulsar is a rapidly rotating neutron star that produces beams of radio energy and occasionally X-rays and visible light. As the star rotates, these beams sweep across space, much like the lights of a lighthouse. This creates a very regular pulsation in the radio waves observed on Earth.

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What Is a Pulsar

Question 169

Multiple Choice

What is a pulsar?

A) very hot material orbiting a black hole
B) a Cepheid variable star with a period of a few days
C) a pulsating white dwarf, fluctuating rapidly in brightness
D) a rapidly rotating neutron star, producing beams of radio energy and occasionally of X-rays and visible light

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