Ep 25. The Boundary Between Black Holes & Neutron Stars
- July 20, 2020
The Boundary Between Black Holes & Neutron Stars
In the latest episode of PBS Space Time season 2020, the show explores one of the most intriguing and mysterious concepts of the universe—the boundary between black holes and neutron stars. It's a fascinating exploration into the interplay of gravity, mass, and energy that governs the behavior of these two enigmatic objects.
As the episode begins, the host sets the stage by explaining what we know so far about black holes and neutron stars. Black holes are extremely dense celestial bodies that form when a massive star collapses and its gravity becomes so intense that it swallows everything, including light. Neutron stars, on the other hand, are the collapsed cores of massive stars that were not massive enough to form into a black hole. These stars are incredibly dense, with a radius of only about 10 km, but with a mass about 1.4 times that of our Sun.
The show then delves into the boundary between these two objects. As the host explains, this boundary is where a black hole and a neutron star interact, and it's still an open and unsolved question as to what happens when they collide. To begin to understand this boundary, the show explores what happens when a neutron star comes too close to a black hole.
In the first part of the episode, the host explains that as a neutron star moves too close to a black hole, its gravity becomes so intense that it distorts the shape of the star. This is called tidal disruption, and it's a fascinating phenomenon. The host uses stunning visual effects to show what happens to the star as it gets closer and closer to the black hole, until it finally reaches the point of no return—the event horizon.
Next, the show explores what happens when two neutron stars collide. This is a rare event, but it has been observed through gravitational waves. The host explains that when two neutron stars collide, they merge into a single object that is even denser than a single neutron star. This new object is called a "hyper-massive neutron star," and it's a brief but fascinating phase.
Finally, the episode explores what happens when two black holes collide. This is a much more common event, and it's been observed many times through gravitational waves. The host explains that when two black holes merge, they create a stronger gravitational field, and this can affect nearby objects such as neutron stars.
Throughout the episode, the show uses stunning visual effects to bring these concepts to life. The host explains each step of the process in clear, easy-to-understand language, and the audience comes away with a deeper understanding of the boundary between black holes and neutron stars.
Overall, The Boundary Between Black Holes & Neutron Stars is a fascinating episode of PBS Space Time season 2020 that is sure to captivate viewers. With its stunning visuals and clear explanations, the show presents a complex topic in an accessible and engaging way, making it ideal for both casual viewers and science enthusiasts alike.
