QUARK STAR Meaning and
Definition
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A quark star is a theoretical astronomical object that is believed to exist as a result of the extreme conditions in the core of a collapsed star. It is hypothesized to be an intermediate stage between a neutron star and a black hole. The term "quark" refers to the elementary particles that make up protons and neutrons.
Quark stars are thought to form when the core of a massive star collapses under its own gravity after a supernova explosion. As the collapse progresses, the matter becomes incredibly dense, and the quarks inside the protons and neutrons could be squeezed together tightly. At this point, the strong nuclear force, which binds quarks together, dominates and prevents further collapse into a black hole.
The exact properties of quark stars are still a subject of debate and ongoing research. It is believed that they are composed primarily of quark matter, a state of matter in which quarks are deconfined from their usual confinement within protons and neutrons. Quark stars would be extremely compact, with densities even higher than neutron stars.
Due to their unique composition and extreme conditions, quark stars could possess some distinct observable features, such as high temperatures and intense magnetic fields. However, since quark stars have not been directly detected yet, their existence remains purely theoretical, and further observational evidence and theoretical developments are required to confirm their existence.
Etymology of QUARK STAR
The word "quark star" has its etymology in both particle physics and astronomy.
In particle physics, the term "quark" was first introduced by Murray Gell-Mann in 1963. Gell-Mann derived the name from a line in James Joyce's novel Finnegans Wake: "Three quarks for Muster Mark"! It's important to note that Gell-Mann pronounced "quark" to rhyme with "cork", although the word is often pronounced like "kwark" in the UK and other regions.
In astronomy, the term "quark star" was coined in the late 1980s to describe a hypothetical type of compact astronomical object that could be formed from quark matter. Quark stars are postulated as an alternative to neutron stars, which are composed of closely packed neutrons.
