Record-Breaking Neutron Star Spins 716 Times Per Second

Astronomers have discovered a neutron star, part of the x-ray binary system 4U 1820-30, spinning at an extraordinary 716 times per second, making it one of the fastest-spinning objects ever observed. Located 26,000 light-years away in the Sagittarius constellation, this neutron star pulls material from its white dwarf companion, leading to powerful thermonuclear bursts. The discovery, made using NASA's NICER telescope, provides insights into the life cycles of binary star systems and the formation of elements in the universe.