New data confirms theory on mysterious afterglow neutron stars

Neutron stars have such a high gravity that even on their surface inflowing matter can fuse in a nuclear explosion. In the afterglow of these explosions, astronomers sometimes spot mysterious fluctuations. SRON scientist Jean in ‘t Zand, together with his colleagues, proposed a theory, which they now see confirmed by additional data from the Neil Gehrers Swift Observatory. Publication as a highlight in Astronomy & Astrophysics.