Pulsar model

thingiverse

A radio telescope receives flashes of radio waves from pulsars, or neutron stars. This is because the neutron stars rotate, and electromagnetic radiation escapes only from their magnetic poles (which do not align with its rotation axis). This scale model shows this effect. A few pieces of transparent filament (1.75mm diameter, each about 40cm long) are used to represent the magnetic field lines. Two flashlights of the right size (diameter 19.5mm) are inserted into the holes at the poles. The button of one of the flashlights is incorporated in the foot. Everything is taped to a turntable. The flashlights I used are of the type "Dekton Prolight Stealth". The 3d printed model replaces a styrofoam ball, that after some usage doesn't work very well anymore. This model is used in the Dwingeloo radio telescope.