Amaris McCarver discovers pulsar in Milky Way cluster

In a fascinating astronomical breakthrough, scientists have recently uncovered a remarkable pulsar within the star cluster Glimpse-C01, nestled in the vast expanse of the Milky Way galaxy, located a staggering 10,700 light-years away from our home planet Earth. This extraordinary celestial object, named GLIMPSE-C01A, is a millisecond pulsar, a rapidly spinning neutron star that emits powerful beams of radiation into space at an astonishing rate of hundreds of times per second.

The groundbreaking revelation of GLIMPSE-C01A was the result of meticulous observations and dedicated efforts by a team of astronomers, spearheaded by the talented intern Amaris McCarver from the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Remote Sensing Division. Initially detected by the cutting-edge technology of the Very Large Array (VLA) on February 27, 2021, this elusive pulsar remained concealed within a vast sea of data until the summer of 2023 when McCarver and her team successfully pinpointed its existence while scrutinizing images captured by the VLA's Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE).

Amaris McCarver, a member of the Radio, Infrared, Optical Sensors Branch at NRL DC, expressed her elation at the triumphant culmination of the project, underscoring the sheer excitement of unearthing such a significant astronomical marvel early in her burgeoning career.

The discovery of GLIMPSE-C01A stands as a testament to the boundless wonders that the universe holds, showcasing the relentless pursuit of knowledge and exploration that drives the field of astronomy forward. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, each new revelation serves to inspire curiosity and awe, inviting us to gaze upon the heavens with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the vastness and complexity of the universe we inhabit.