Astronomers from New York University in Abu Dhabi have reported striking activity surrounding the J1023 pulsar, a rapidly spinning neutron star situated about 4.5 thousand light-years from Earth. The team observed that a nearby space object siphoned material from a companion star and then expelled this matter into the surrounding space. The findings were drawn from observations compiled with a network of twelve telescopes, both space-based and ground-based. The analysis appears in Astronomy and Astrophysics, a peer‑reviewed scientific journal.
Neutron stars, the dense remnants left after massive stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, often manifest as pulsars in which beams of radiation sweep past Earth as the star rotates. In this case, the J1023 pulsar demonstrates an unusual and repeatable pattern: it alternates between active and quiet states in rapid succession, a switch driven by the interplay between streams of energetic particles at the star’s surface and the surrounding matter drawn by the star’s intense gravity.
Researchers report that during the active phases, the pulsar appears to feed on material transferred from its stellar companion. Then, after periods of inactivity, it reignites and releases excess material outward into interstellar space. The transitions between these modes can occur within seconds or extend to several minutes, indicating a delicate balance between accretion processes and magnetic or rotational dynamics that govern the pulsar’s behavior.
To capture this phenomenon, scientists employed a combination of space and terrestrial observatories, enabling multi-wavelength coverage that helps map the intricate geometry of matter around the neutron star. The observations show that the pulsar’s high-energy particle streams interact continually with the incoming material, shaping a dynamic environment where matter is frequently redirected or ejected rather than steadily consumed.
Historically, pulsars have been crucial laboratories for understanding extreme physics. In this case, the J1023 system provides a vivid example of how a pulsar can oscillate between feeding states and powered emissions, driven by the ongoing tug of gravity, rotation, and magnetic fields. The study’s measurements suggest that the timing of mode changes—ranging from a few seconds to minutes—holds keys to deciphering how matter behaves in the presence of strong magnetic fields and rapid rotation.
Beyond this particular system, the research adds to a growing picture of how transitional pulsars operate. The observed pattern of intermittent accretion and episodic ejection helps astrophysicists refine models of how neutron stars interact with their surroundings and how these interactions influence the observable signals across the electromagnetic spectrum. This broader understanding informs theories about how such stars evolve, how their magnetic fields evolve over time, and how they affect nearby interstellar material in their journey through the Milky Way.