Pulsar
/id/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (ID).Definition & Context
NounNoun
A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.
A highly magnetized and rapidly rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation from its magnetic poles. This dense celestial object is observed as regular pulses of radiation as its emission beam points toward Earth at fixed intervals.
Synonyms & Variants
bintang berdenyut
A descriptive term for a star that emits radiation in a repetitive or pulsing manner.
bintang neutron
A broader technical term for the same object.
bintang radio
A technical term in astronomy for a celestial object that emits periodic radio waves.
sumber radio periodik
A scientific description for an astronomical object that emits radio signals at fixed time intervals.
sumber radio
Functional description of a pulsar.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The term is a portmanteau coined by Anthony Hewish and his team in 1968 from the phrase pulsating star. Etymologically, it derives from the Latin pulsare meaning “to beat” or “to pulse”. Upon discovery, these objects were whimsically nicknamed LGM-1 or “Little Green Men” because their highly regular signals were initially mistaken for extraterrestrial intelligence transmissions. In formal contexts, the word is used specifically within astrophysics to denote periodic emission phenomena resulting from the conservation of angular momentum. Its usage emphasizes temporal precision and the extreme density of celestial matter. Sociolinguistically, the term migrated from scientific journals into popular culture as a metaphor for unwavering regularity amid the vast darkness of the universe.
Real-world Usage
Pulsar itu memancarkan sinyal radio yang sangat stabil dari luar angkasa.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.