Why in the News?
Indian astronomers, including researchers from IIT Kanpur, have developed a new technique to measure distances in space using pulsars by combining dispersion measure and scatter broadening.
What are Pulsars?
- Pulsars are dense, rapidly spinning neutron stars
- Emit regular radio wave pulses
- Act as cosmic clocks due to highly stable rotation
- Used to detect gravitational waves and deep space phenomena
New Measurement Method
Scientists combined two effects:
1. Dispersion Measure (DM)
- Radio waves pass through ionised gas
- Lower frequency waves arrive later
- Used to estimate distance
2. Scatter Broadening
- Plasma irregularities scatter signals
- Signals follow multiple paths
- Causes signal stretching
New Approach
- Combined Dispersion + Scattering
- Improves accuracy of distance measurement
Study Details
- Observed 10 pulsars
- Region studied: Gum Nebula
- Found Vela Pulsar located behind nebula
- Developed improved electron distribution model
Significance
- More accurate deep space distance measurement
- No strict distance limitation
- Can be used for Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)
- Improves understanding of interstellar medium
| [2023] Consider the following pairs: Objects in space : Description 1 Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2 Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3 Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None |
