Record-Breaking Neutron Star Spins 716 Times Per Second

This discovery in the 4U 1820-30 system reveals one of the fastest-spinning neutron stars ever observed, offering insights into binary star dynamics.

Located 26,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius, the neutron star is part of a binary system with a white dwarf.
The star's rapid spin rate was confirmed by NASA's NICER X-ray telescope aboard the International Space Station.
The neutron star's surface experiences explosive thermonuclear blasts, making it up to 100,000 times brighter than the sun.
These findings affirm the theoretical upper limit for neutron star spin speeds, previously thought to be around 730 rotations per second.
Researchers detected 15 thermonuclear bursts between 2017 and 2021, with one revealing the star's remarkable spin rate.