Neuton Stars

Crab Nebula First Observed

Jul 4, 1054

Chinese astronomers observed the birth of the Crab Nebula, a field of gasses that would eventually become home to a neutron star. The event was observable from around the globe, and was recorded by Native American, Arabic and Japanese astronomers. It was reputed to have been visible during the daytime for 23 days, and at night for 653 days.
Citation:
Redd, Nola. "The Crab Nebula (M1): Facts, Discovery & Images." Space.com. N.p., 8 Aug. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.
"Crab Nebula." Space Sciences. Ed

The Crab Nebula Discovered

Jan 1, 1844

The Crab Nebula was officially discovered and named ny Lord Rosse. The Crab Nebula later provides the link between supernovae, pulsars, and neutron stars.
Citaton:
Mueller, Mike. "Who Discovered the Crab Nebula." By Mike Mueller. Science360, 4 May 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Picture taken by Hubble Telescope

Neutron Stars first Theorized

Jan 1, 1932

Walter Baade and Fritz Zwicky theorize that if enough pressure was exerted towards the core of a star, the electrons could be forced into the nucleus of a star, thus forming a star made of nuetrons.
Citation:
"Neutron star." World of Scientific Discovery. Gale, 2007. Science in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Photo courtesy Mt. Wilson Observatory

First Neutron Star Discovered

Jan 1, 1967

A graduate student in Cambridge University named Jocelyn Bell discovered an interstellar object emitting intense and regular pulses. Her and her professor, Antony Hewish, collected data and discovered more of these anomalies. Hewish postulated that it was a neutron star, and was later backed up by Thomas Gold.

Citation:
"Neutron star." World of Scientific Discovery. Gale, 2007. Science in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Pulsars and Neutron Stars Linked

Jan 1, 1968

Thomas Gold propses that pulsars are neutron stars rotating at high speeds (up to 30 times per second.)
Citation:
Greene, Nick. "Pulsars." About.com Space / Astronomy. About.com, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Picture taken by Hubble Telescope

Crab Nebula Pulsar Discovered

Jan 1, 1969

David Staelin, E.C. Reifenstein, William Cocke, Mike Disney, and Donald Taylor discover the Crab Nebula Pulsar, and further study allows for understanding of the process of forming a neutron star.
Citation:
"Crab Nebula & Pulsar." Crab Nebula and Pulsar. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Nobel Prize Awarded

Jan 1, 1974

Antony Hewish became the first astronomer to be awarded the Nobel Prize. He was awarded the prize for the discovery of neutron stars. However, Jocelyn Bell, the true discoverer did not share in the prize.
Citation:
Greene, Nick. "Pulsars." About.com Space / Astronomy. About.com, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Stock image in the public domain used