Ep 1. Nightmares of Neutron Stars

How the Universe Works season 7 kicks off with a thrilling episode called "Nightmares of Neutron Stars." As the title suggests, the episode delves into the intriguing and terrifying world of neutron stars, which are among the densest objects in the known universe.

The episode explores the birth and death of these cosmic giants, which are formed when massive stars explode in supernovas and collapse in on themselves. Neutron stars are incredibly small, yet unbelievably dense, with a radius of only about 10 kilometers but a mass of roughly 1.4 times that of our sun.

"Nightmares of Neutron Stars" investigates the strange and exotic phenomena that take place on and around these stellar corpses. For instance, neutron stars have incredibly strong magnetic fields that can be up to a billion times stronger than Earth's. These magnetic fields can produce intense radiation and create mesmerizing light shows, such as the eerie glow of pulsars.

The episode also looks at the extreme conditions that exist on and around neutron stars. Astronomers believe that the surfaces of neutron stars are covered with a type of exotic matter called neutronium, which is denser than any substance on Earth and has strange properties that scientists are still trying to understand.

"Nightmares of Neutron Stars" also explores the dangerous and deadly phenomena that can arise from neutron stars. For example, some neutron stars are surrounded by accretion disks, which are made up of gas and dust that have been torn away from a nearby star. As this material spirals towards the neutron star, it heats up and emits intense X-rays and gamma rays that can be harmful to any life nearby.

Additionally, the episode looks at the terrifying prospect of magnetars, which are a type of neutron star with incredibly strong magnetic fields. If a magnetar were to come close enough to Earth, its magnetic field could render all of our electronic devices useless and even cause seismic activity on our planet.

Overall, "Nightmares of Neutron Stars" is a gripping and informative episode that provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the most extreme and mysterious objects in our universe. Through stunning visuals and expert analysis, this episode helps us to understand the awe-inspiring power and beauty of these cosmic nightmares.