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Pune based astronomers have discovered two new Millisecond Pulsars (MSP) — rotating neutron stars — using an indigenously developed novel technique, which was applied during an ongoing sky survey conducted by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT).

Image Source: The Indian Express

About Millisecond Pulsars (MSP)

• MSPs are dense, tiny neutron stars, which are formed when a massive star (for example, the Sun) collapses.
• They are named pulsars because they emit pulses of radiation at regular intervals. 
• Millisecond pulsars emit radiation every few milliseconds.
• The properties of these radiations can reveal key information about the neutron stars, which are the densest bodies in the universe excluding blackholes.
• Chances of detection of gravitational waves are higher when there is a significant population of MSPs in a region.

Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT):

• GMRT is a low-frequency radio telescope that helps investigate various radio astrophysical problems ranging from nearby solar systems to the edge of the observable universe. 
• Location: Near Narayangaon in Pune district.
• Operated by: The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
• Specification: It consists of an array of 30 antennas of 45 m diameter each, spread out over a 30 km region about 80 km from Pune, with sophisticated electronics and computing for processing the data from all the antennas. 

News Source: Indian Express

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