Quark-star facts for kids
A quark star is a super-dense object that scientists think might exist in space. It's even denser than a neutron star but not quite as dense as a black hole. Imagine a star that has collapsed so much that its tiny particles, called quarks, are squished together in a super-tight way. These stars could be very small, maybe less than 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) wide!
What is a Quark Star?
A quark star is a type of hypothetical (meaning scientists think it might exist) space object. It forms when a very large neutron star collapses under its own gravity. This collapse is so powerful that it squishes the star's material into an incredibly dense state.
What Are Quark Stars Made Of?
Normally, neutrons are made of smaller particles called "up" and "down" quarks, held together by gluons. In a neutron star, these neutrons are packed very tightly. But in a quark star, the pressure is so extreme that these "up" and "down" quarks change into a different type of quark called "strange quarks."
This creates a super-dense material known as "strange matter." This strange matter is even more compact than the material found in a neutron star. That's why quark stars are thought to be so incredibly dense and small.
Related Space Objects
- Supermassive black hole: This is an extremely large and heavy black hole. Scientists believe that most galaxies have one of these giant black holes at their center.
- Quasar: A quasar is a very bright and active center of a galaxy. It is thought that a supermassive black hole powers these bright regions.
- Intergalactic star: This is a star that travels through space and is not part of any galaxy.
- Quasi-star: This is another hypothetical type of star. Scientists think it might form from a very massive neutron star.
