What Color Are Neutron Stars

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1 total messages Started by K. A. Dahlke Tue, 02 Apr 1985 19:37

#48

Author: K. A. Dahlke
Date: Tue, 02 Apr 1985 19:37

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	While contemplating the universe, a question came to mine.
What color are cold neutron stars?
They don't have the usual electrons to absorb/reradiate electromagnetic energy.
Perhaps they don't interact with light at all (ignoring the gravitational
effects).  Are they perfectly transparent?
however, atomic nuclei do interact with energetic photons,
so perhaps neutron stars might interact with light.
Perhaps they possess a continuum of energy states,
allowing interactions at many wave lengths.
Do they absorb everything, becoming black bodies?
Perhaps they absorb and reradiate.
Are they reflective, like a spherical mirror?
Are they transparent like glass, with a huge index of refraction?
What a powerful natural lens!!
This question is related to the radiation produced
by a hot neutron star, although much of this
radiation comes from "real" matter on the surface,
and companion matter falling thereoninto.
Can anyone help me with this all-important question.
I would have investigated directly,
but the flashlight was too heavy for me.
-- 
	Some insipid moronic closing like "my opinions are my own ... "
Karl Dahlke    ihnp4!ihnet!eklhad

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