A rapidly rotating neutron star that emits beams of radiation with periods between 1-10 milliseconds. These are among the most precise timekeepers in the universe, often more accurate than atomic clocks.
From Latin 'mille' (thousand) + 'secunda' (second) and 'pulsare' (to beat). The term emerged in the 1980s when astronomers discovered these incredibly fast-spinning stellar remnants.
Millisecond pulsars are cosmic lighthouses spinning hundreds of times per second - imagine a city-sized object with the mass of the Sun rotating faster than a kitchen blender! They're so precise that astronomers use them to detect gravitational waves and test Einstein's theories.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.