Pulsars have baffled scientists for decades, including how they work and what form matter takes within a pulsar. Using data collected by the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) Mission between July 2017 and December 2018, scientists have not only been able to make the most precise size measurements of Pulsar J0030+0451 (located 1,100 light-years away in the constellation Pisces), but they have also mapped hotspots located on its surface. This week we are joined by Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian and Dr. Keith Gendreau, members of the Goddard Team that mapped J0030 and co-authors of "Focus on NICER Constraints on the Dense Matter Equation of State" published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters in December, 2019.

Zaven is the Deputy Principal Investigator and Science Lead for NICER.

Keith is Principal Investigator NICER. Be sure to follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/keithgendreau

You can read more about this achievement here: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/nasa-s-nicer-delivers-best-ever-pulsar-measurements-1st-surface-map

Want to learn more about the NICER mission? Visit their webpage: https://www.nasa.gov/nicer

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