Abstract

Neutron stars are born in the aftermath of a core-collapse supernova explosion. These compact stars were first detected (by Cambridge astronomers!) as radio pulsars. Further observations confirmed that neutron stars are the densest objects of the Universe, with the strongest magnetic fields and possibly contain the highest temperature superfluids ever observed. They are also prime candidates for extreme nucleosynthesis processes, responsible for the creation of elements heavier than Fe. A meaningful description of these stars requires an accurate knowledge of the neutron-neutron interaction, as well as a solution to the quantum many-body problem. As a nuclear physicist, I will discuss the connection between the nuclear physics input and the macroscopic astrophysical observations of neutron stars, and how they can influence one another in a meaningful way.

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