What is a Neutron Star?
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- Visualizations by:
- Walt Feimer
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- Produced by:
- Clare Skelly
- View full credits
Here's just some of what we already know about neutron stars. An upcoming NASA mission will further investigate these unusual objects from the International Space Station. The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer mission, or NICER, will study the extraordinary environments — strong gravity, ultra-dense matter, and the most powerful magnetic fields in the universe — embodied by neutron stars. NICER is a two-in-one mission. The embedded Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology, or SEXTANT, demonstration will use NICER data to validate, for the first time in space, pulsar-based navigation.
NICER is planned for launch aboard the SpaceX CRS-11, currently scheduled for June 1, 2017. Learn more about the mission at nasa.gov/nicer.
For More Information
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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Animators
- Walt Feimer (KBR Wyle Services, LLC) [Lead]
- Lisa Poje (USRA)
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Producer
- Clare Skelly (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
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Narrator
- Joy Ng (KBR Wyle Services, LLC)
Missions
This visualization is related to the following missions:Related Pages
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ID: 13841 Produced Video
NASA’s NICER Telescope Examined a Star on the Edge of Becoming a Black Hole Live Shots
Read moreQuick link to canned interview in Spanish with Diego Altamirano: Principal Research Fellow, University of Southampton.Quick link to associated B-ROLL for live shots. || Unknown-2.png (1600x535) [1.1 MB] || Unknown-2_print.jpg (1024x342) [147.9 KB] || Unknown-2_searchweb.png (320x180) [95.0 KB] || Unknown-2_thm.png (80x40) [7.4 KB] ||
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ID: 12668 Produced Video
NICER in Space
Read moreSeveral cameras on the International Space Station (ISS) have eyes on NICER. Since arriving to the space station on June 5 – aboard SpaceX’s eleventh cargo resupply mission – NICER underwent robotic installation on ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 2, initial deployment, precise point tests and more. This video shows segments of NICER’s time in space. Scientists and engineers will continue to watch NICER, using these cameras, throughout the mission’s science operations. ||
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ID: 12630 Produced Video
NICER Mission Overview
Read moreThe Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) payload, destined for the exterior of the space station, will study the physics of neutron stars, providing new insight into their nature and behavior. These stars are called “pulsars” because of the unique way they emit light – in a beam similar to a lighthouse beacon. As the star spins, the light sweeps past us, making it appear as if the star is pulsing. Neutron stars emit X-ray radiation, enabling the NICER technology to observe and record information about their structure, dynamics and energetics. The payload also includes a technology demonstration called the Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) which will help researchers to develop a pulsar-based space navigation system. Pulsar navigation could work similarly to GPS on Earth, providing precise position and time for spacecraft throughout the solar system.The 2-in-1 mission launched on June 3, 2017 aboard SpaceX's eleventh contracted cargo resupply mission with NASA to the International Space Station. The payload arrived at the space station in the Dragon spacecraft, along with other cargo, on June 5, 2017. ||
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ID: 20266 Animation
NICER Payload Animations
Read moreAnimated video and stills of the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) payload. ||
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ID: 20267 Animation
Neutron Star Animations
Read moreThe Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission will study neutron stars, the densest known objects in the cosmos. These neutron star animations and graphics highlight some of their unique characteristics.For more information about NICER visit: nasa.gov/nicer. ||
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ID: 12530 B-Roll
NICER Mission B-roll Footage
Read moreThe Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission was built and tested at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.In addition to NASA Goddard scientists and engineers, the mission team includes the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and commercial partners, who provided spaceflight hardware. ||
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