Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

Neutron Strars are the densest objects in the universe, save for black holes. They could, in principle, be spun up to rotational frequencies exceeding 1kHz. However, such high rotational frequencies have not been observed in nature so far.

In this talk I outline possible scenarios in which gravitational waves play an important role in setting the spins of both young and old (recycled) neutron stars. I will discuss future radio, x-ray, and gravitational-wave observations which might allow us to distinguish between these scenarios.

Thursday, March 29th 2001, 12:30
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, room 305