Scientists have been grappling with the conundrum of how M82 X-2, an ULX consisting of a neutron star and its surrounding material, exceeds the Eddington limit. A previous theory suggested that the object's glow was simply cone-shaped and pointed towards Earth, creating an illusion of greater luminosity. However, new research published in The Astrophysical Journal disputes this explanation.
The study asserts that M82 X-2 is, in fact, violating the laws of physics due to its neutron star's immensely powerful magnetic fields, billions of times stronger than any magnet achievable on Earth. To comprehend this violation, it's crucial to understand the role of photons in setting the maximum brightness of celestial objects.
In the case of M82 X-2, photons are emitted by material drawn from a neighboring star. As this matter nears the neutron star, its speed and temperature increase, producing an intense glow. Photons from this light exert a slight force on the neutron star, which, if strong enough, could overcome the neutron star's gravitational pull.
However, M82 X-2's brightness surpasses the Eddington limit for the density of matter involved. The neutron star is accumulating roughly 1.5 times the Earth's mass per year, providing scientists with a basis for estimating its expected brightness. The recent study posits that the neutron star's magnetic fields are distorting the atoms of the stolen matter, transforming them into elongated shapes, which reduces the photons' ability to push the atoms away from the neutron star.
This phenomenon allows the neutron star's gravity to continue pulling in matter, resulting in the emission of more photons and a brightness beyond the theoretical limit. Although this explanation is intriguing, it cannot be directly tested, as reproducing the magnetic fields of a neutron star is currently impossible.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal; Via: NASA
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