2007-10-15 15:22:31 · 4 answers · asked by Paul S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A pulsar emits a beam of light as it rotates. If a pulsar isn't oriented in the right direction so that this beam hits the earth, we won't see it. We only see the small percentage of them that direct their beam right at us.
2007-10-15 15:45:58 · answer #1 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A pulsar is a star that rotates on an axis and emits radiation from its magnetic poles (think "North" and "South"). If it is aligned in just such a way, that radiation sweeps across earth at regular intervals, and we detect it as a pulsar.
Think of the light in a lighthouse that rotates around and around....only the pulsar rotates much, MUCH faster than a lighthouse. :)
2007-10-16 00:12:47 · answer #2 · answered by elastic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the universe is of such tremendous size that the detection of all specimens of known phenomena is impossible, also, the vast distance between Earth and a given pulsar is so great that it prevents viewing with the naked eye and most telescopes, orbiting telescopes included.
2007-10-15 22:30:51 · answer #3 · answered by DB_Wisdom 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
many are too far from us and thus dimmer
2007-10-15 22:58:59 · answer #4 · answered by kxkx 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋