Soft equations of state for neutron-star matter ruled out by EXO 0748 - 676

The interiors of neutron stars contain matter at very high densities, in a state that differs greatly from those found in the early Universe or achieved in terrestrial experiments. Matter in these conditions can only be probed through astrophysical observations that measure the mass and radius of ne...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature 2006-06, Vol.441 (7097), p.1115-1117
Main Author: Ozel, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Condensates
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Humanities and Social Sciences
Late stages of stellar evolution (including black holes)
letter
Mathematical analysis
multidisciplinary
Neutron stars
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Stars
Stars & galaxies
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Summary:The interiors of neutron stars contain matter at very high densities, in a state that differs greatly from those found in the early Universe or achieved in terrestrial experiments. Matter in these conditions can only be probed through astrophysical observations that measure the mass and radius of neutron stars with sufficient precision. Here I report a determination of the mass and radius of the neutron star EXO 0748 - 676 that appears to rule out all the soft equations of state of neutron-star matter. If this object is typical, then condensates and unconfined quarks do not exist in the centres of neutron stars.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
1476-4679
DOI:10.1038/nature04858