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Cindy Hops
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Neutron stars are neutral by definition. How can they have magnetospheres which are polar by definition?
phyzguy said:An iron magnet is charge neutral, and yet it has a magnetic field. While neutron stars are mainly neutrons, they contain charged particles as well. See this Wikipedia link for an overview of the best guess of a neutron star structure. It is believed that the magnetic field in a neutron star is "frozen in" from the magnetic field that was present in the star before it collapsed.
Neutron stars are formed from the remnants of supernova explosions, where the core of a massive star collapses under its own gravity. As the core shrinks, its rotation rate increases, creating a strong magnetic field that extends outwards from the surface of the star.
The magnetic field on a neutron star's surface can be incredibly strong, ranging from 10^8 to 10^15 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. This is due to the intense compression of the star's core during its formation.
Unlike regular stars, which have a convective outer layer, neutron stars have a solid surface. This means that the magnetic field lines are anchored to the surface of the neutron star, creating a much more compact and intense magnetosphere.
The rotation of a neutron star is crucial in shaping its magnetosphere. As the star rotates, it creates a dynamo effect, causing the magnetic field lines to twist and become more complex. This can lead to the formation of powerful jets of particles and radiation.
Neutron stars are incredibly dense and have extremely strong gravitational fields. This means that they are able to retain their magnetic fields over time, unlike regular stars which may lose their magnetic fields as they age and expand into red giants.