'Quiet' pulsar suddenly reveals three glitches in 15 years of observations

For decades, astronomers have been fascinated by pulsars, particularly those that exhibit rotational glitches. These sudden increases in a neutron star's rotation rate can be a complex phenomenon, often accompanied by changes in its magnetic field and energy output.

Recently, a team of scientists led by Zhaoyi Wang of Xiamen University has made a groundbreaking discovery in the young pulsar PSR J1637-4642. After 15.5 years of data collection with the Murriyang radio telescope between February 2009 and October 2024, they detected three distinct glitches in the pulsar's rotation rate.

Key Findings:

• The first glitch occurred around 2018 and was by far the strongest, changing the pulsar's rotation frequency by about 17.54 microhertz. • The second glitch occurred about three years later and changed the rotation frequency by only about 14 nanohertz. • The third glitch appeared roughly 2.7 years after the second and produced a frequency increase of about 179 nanohertz.

Expert Evidence:

The team's findings are consistent with long-standing theories on pulsars, including the idea that glitches are caused by superfluid neutrons in the neutron star suddenly transferring angular momentum to its solid crust. The data collected from PSR J1637-4642 support this theory and suggest a relaxation timescale of roughly 102 days.

Practical Takeaways:

The detection of three distinct glitches in PSR J1637-4642 provides valuable insights into the behavior of young pulsars like this one. While the exact cause of glitches remains unknown, these observations can help us better understand the complex dynamics within neutron stars and their internal structures. As we continue to study these fascinating objects, we may uncover new ways to harness their energy and shed light on the mysteries of the universe.

Shreejaya Karantha is a science writer and astronomy communicator based in India, with a focus on astrophysics and the early universe.