3D Printing a Pulsar

By on April 11th, 2012 in Design

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A pulsar is a very strange astronomical object that is the result of a collapsing star. The conservation of angular momentum means the small collapsed star spins very rapidly, causing it to “pulse” its radio signals on a very reliable frequency, hence the name “Pulsar”. 
 
Peter Walters and Katie Davies of England’s University of the West decided to 3D print a pulsar. Well, not actual size, of course. We don’t have a 3D printer available of that size yet. 
 
The print represents the strength of the radio signals received from the Vela Pulsar (PSR B0833-45) as it rotates. The bizarre astronomical object emits radio, optical, X-ray and gamma rays. Very nasty stuff if you happen to be nearby. We’d rather just admire the beautiful 3D print of its signals. 
  
Via Wired

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!