This diagram shows a comparison of the sizes and strangely elliptical shapes of the orbits of the pulsar J1903+0327 and its possible Sun-like companion star with the orbit of the Earth around the Sun.

Orbital Comparison with the solar system

Strange star stumps astronomers

It’s obese and yet speedy...find out why this pulsar has astronomers scratching their heads. In this podcast, Dr David Champion describes the star...and theories on why it’s such astronomical oddball.. (5:13)

  • 19 May 2008 | Updated 24 November 2011

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The compact, rapidly spinning star is called J1903+0327 and was discovered by CSIRO’s Dr David Champion and scientists from twenty other research institutions.

Dr Champion and his colleagues at CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility have published their findings about the star in the online journal, Science Express.

Read more at Strange star stumps astronomers (Media release 16 May 08).