Space Mountains on Dead Stars Could Send Ripples Through Space-Time todayheadline

In a discovery that bridges the cosmic and the familiar, scientists have found that some of the densest objects in the universe might sport mountain ranges similar to those found on moons in our own solar system. These celestial peaks, formed on neutron stars, would be so massive that their gravity alone could create detectable ripples in the fabric of space and time.

Nuclear theorists at Indiana University have drawn unexpected parallels between the surface features of neutron stars – collapsed dead stars with matter a trillion times denser than lead – and the familiar terrains of celestial bodies closer to home, like Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

The research could revolutionize our understanding of these extreme cosmic objects. Scientists are now using the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) to search for the space-time distortions these colossal mountains might produce – ripples so subtle they require incredibly sensitive detection methods.

What makes this comparison between neutron stars and solar system moons particularly intriguing is their similar structural composition: both feature thin crusts above deep oceans. This parallel extends to Mercury, which has a thin crust above a large metallic core. These similarities in structure might lead to universal patterns in how their surfaces develop and change.

The evidence for these patterns can be seen in our cosmic backyard. Europa displays linear features across its surface, while Enceladus is marked by distinctive tiger-like stripes. Mercury shows its own unique topography with curved, step-like structures. These varied surface features suggest neutron stars might exhibit similar patterns, potentially detectable through continuous gravitational wave signals.

Earth itself provides another crucial clue to understanding these neutron star mountains. Our planet’s innermost core exhibits a property called anisotropy – meaning its physical properties vary depending on direction. If neutron star crust material shares this characteristic, it could result in mountain-like deformations that grow larger as the star spins faster.

This relationship between spin and deformation might explain two long-standing mysteries about neutron stars: why they appear to have a maximum spin rate, and why certain rapidly rotating neutron stars known as millisecond pulsars seem to maintain a minimum level of deformation.

The implications of this research extend beyond mere astronomical curiosity. The detection of continuous gravitational waves from these cosmic mountains would open an entirely new window for observing the universe. Such discoveries could provide unique insights into neutron stars, which remain the densest known objects short of black holes, and might even help scientists conduct sensitive tests of nature’s fundamental laws.

The research, primarily funded by the Department of Energy Office of Science’s Nuclear Physics program with additional support from the National Science Foundation, represents a significant step forward in predicting what signals LIGO should search for in its quest to detect these space-time ripples.

As LIGO continues its meticulous search for these gravitational whispers from neutron star mountains, the findings highlight how phenomena at the most extreme scales of the universe might share surprising connections with the more familiar features of our own cosmic neighborhood.