The Eighth and Closest Neutron Star

Neutron stars are the leftovers of a supernova event, but with a mass too small to form a black hole. Instead, the leftovers compress into an incredibly dense mass of a tiny size (by astronomical standards; only a few miles in diameter). This results in a small volume (say, a pinch, or a teaspoon) weighing in at a weight of millions of tons.

The eighth star is nicknamed Calvera, after the villain in the movie "The Magnificent Seven" (Calvera was played by Eli Wallach), as an inside joke (there were seven previously-discovered neutron stars, referred to previously as the Magnificent Seven).

Calvera has the honor of being the closest to Earth; not to be confused with the amazing collection of stories by Larry Niven ("Neutron Star").

Thanks to MSNBC for "Astronomers spot nearest neutron star".

About Michael Coates
I am a pragmatic evangelist. The products, services and solutions I write about fulfill real-world expectations and use cases. I stay up-to-date on real products I use and review, and share my thoughts here. I apply the same lens when designing an architecture, product or when writing papers. I am always looking for ways that technology can create or enhance a business opportunity .. not just technology for technology's sake. My CV says: Seasoned technology executive, leveraging years of experience with enterprise and integration architectural patterns, executed with healthy doses of business acumen and pragmatism. That's me. My web site says: Technology innovations provide a myriad of opportunities for businesses. That said, having the "latest and greatest" for its own sake isn't always a recipe for success. Business successes gained through exploiting innovation relies on analysis of how the new features will enhance your business followed by effective implementation. Goals vary far and wide: streamlining operations, improving customer experience, extending brand, and many more. In all cases, you must identify and collect the metrics you can apply to measure your success. Analysis must be holistic and balanced: business and operational needs must be considered when capitalizing on a new technology asset or opportunity.

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