Radboud University researchers have discovered that neutron stars and white dwarfs, like black holes, are subject to evaporation, challenging previous assumptions about the longevity of cosmic objects. This new understanding, published recently, suggests that gravitational curvature can lead to the creation of particle pairs, causing these dense stellar remnants to lose mass over time.
Key Findings
The team's calculations reveal that the rate of evaporation is directly related to an object's density. Neutron stars and stellar black holes are now estimated to evaporate in approximately 10^67 years. White dwarfs, previously thought to be among the most enduring celestial bodies, are projected to vanish in 10^78 years. This significantly reduces the estimated lifespan of the universe, which was previously thought to be 10^1100 years.
This research builds upon a 2023 study by the same team, which initially proposed that all objects with a gravitational field could evaporate via a process similar to Hawking radiation. The current findings refine these estimates and highlight the role of density in determining the rate of decay.
Implications
The implication of this discovery is a revised understanding of the universe's ultimate fate, suggesting a more rapid decay of matter than previously anticipated. These findings also impact the understanding of quantum gravity and the ultimate fate of information encoded in matter. The team also calculated the evaporation time for the Moon and a human, estimating it to be 10^90 years.
The research team includes Heino Falcke, Michael Wondrak, and Walter van Suijlekom from Radboud University. Their work combines astrophysics, quantum physics, and mathematics to provide new insights into the fundamental processes governing the universe.