Precise Clocks

Millisecond Pulsars

A millisecond pulsar is a pulsar with a rotational period of 1-10 milliseconds, found predominantly in globular clusters.[1] As these stars have an incredibly high mass (~1030 kg), a very large external force would need to be applied in order to change the angular momentum of the star a very miniscule amount. This property gives pulsars exceptional rotational stability.[2] The period of millisecond pulsars can be observed by simply watching the pulsations, and thus can be timed with high precision, making it possible for pulsar clocks to be more accurate than atomic clocks, when using them to create a time scale for precise measurements for astronomical observations.[1][3]

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[1]Ivanova, Natalia, Heinke, Craig O., Rasio, Frederic A. “Formation of Millisecond Pulsars in Globular Clusters.” (2007). Print.
[2]Matsakis, Demetrios N., Taylor, J. H., Eubanks, T. Marshall. “A statistic for describing pulsar and clock stabilities.” Astron. Astrophys. 326 (1997): 924-928. Print.
[3]Petit, G. “A New Realization of Terrestrial Time.” (2003). Print.