New Black Widow Pulsar Discovery Boosts Understanding of Binary Star Systems and Pulsar Evolution
Thailand’s growing role in international astronomy has been further solidified with the recent discovery of a new black widow pulsar, designated PSR J1544–2555. This groundbreaking find is a testament to the country’s expanding capabilities in radio astronomy, and it is set to enhance our understanding of binary star systems and pulsar evolution.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) announced that researchers Tinn Thongmeearkom and Adipol Phosrisom played key roles in the discovery. Their contribution to this significant research effort was published in the esteemed journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on September 16, 2025.
Meet the Researchers Behind the Discovery
Tinn Thongmeearkom is a renowned Thai astronomer who has been instrumental in several groundbreaking discoveries. With his extensive expertise and dedication to the field, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of astronomy in Thailand. Adipol Phosrisom is another accomplished researcher from NARIT, whose tireless efforts have helped shed light on some of the most intriguing mysteries in astrophysics.
Understanding Black Widow Pulsars
Black widow pulsars are a fascinating class of celestial objects that play a crucial role in our understanding of high-energy physics and binary star systems. These rapidly rotating neutron stars emit powerful magnetic fields and radio signals, resembling lighthouse beams as they rotate at incredible speeds. The newly discovered pulsar, PSR J1544–2555, is an exceptional example of this phenomenon.
Black widow pulsars are characterized by their millisecond rotation periods and orbital periods of just a few hours. This makes them some of the fastest-spinning objects in the universe, with properties that can be studied to gain insights into the behavior of matter under extreme conditions. With only about 50 black widow pulsars discovered so far, each new finding is essential for developing comprehensive models of these enigmatic systems.
The Discovery Process
The discovery of PSR J1544–2555 was made possible by an international collaboration using the MeerKAT radio telescope array in South Africa. This facility consists of 64 radio dishes spread over a vast expanse of more than 8 kilometers, allowing for high-precision observations and detailed studies of celestial objects.
The multi-stage detection process began with identifying potential ‘spider pulsar’ candidates based on gamma-ray positions from NASA’s Fermi space telescope. The team then observed characteristic light variations using the Ultracam instrument at the European Southern Observatory’s New Technology Telescope in northern Chile. Finally, they confirmed the pulsar using MeerKAT radio observations.
Thailand’s Growing Role in International Astronomy
The discovery of PSR J1544–2555 highlights Thailand’s expanding capabilities in radio astronomy and its increasing contributions to international research efforts. The country has established the Thai National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, featuring 40-meter and 13-meter radio telescopes.
Thailand has also connected its radio observatory to leading international telescope networks in Germany, China, and Japan, solidifying its position as a key player in future astronomical discoveries. The multi-wavelength approach combining radio, optical, and gamma-ray observations was crucial for identifying new spider pulsars and developing comprehensive models of these exotic stellar systems.
Conclusion
The discovery of PSR J1544–2555 is a significant milestone in the field of astronomy, offering new insights into binary star systems and pulsar evolution. The contributions of Thai researchers Tinn Thongmeearkom and Adipol Phosrisom are a testament to their dedication and expertise. As Thailand continues to grow its presence in international astronomy, we can expect even more groundbreaking discoveries that will shed light on the mysteries of the universe.