A neutron star is such a dense object, that even a teaspoonful of its material, would weigh more than all the humans on Earth combined. These exotic objects are born from the cataclysmic death of massive stars. They are no larger than a small city and pack a mass up to twice that of our Sun. Neutron stars are also the fastest spinners known in the universe. Some neutron stars, called mini-second pulsars, can rotate 700 times per second. Despite their smooth appearance from a distance, they have 'mountains' on their surfaces. But these so-called mountains are mere centimeters tall due to the extreme gravity. However, even these tiny bumps can generate powerful gravitational waves that ripple through spacetime. These incredible objects remind us that the universe is endlessly complex and wondrous, with much left to discover.
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