Pulsars Discoveries, Functions, and Formation

A pulsar is a rapidly spinning neutron star that has a mechanism to beam light. This mechanism is only partially understood, but is connected with very strong magnetic fields spinning with the star. This book presents and discusses current research in the study of pulsars, including changes in the orbital periods of binary pulsars; pulsar distances and the electron distribution in the galaxy; magnetic field evolution through pulsar glitches; natal pulsar kicks; particle acceleration in pulsar outer magnetospheres and accretion-driven millisecond x-ray pulsars.