Power and output

Crab pulsar spin-down power

Crab pulsar spin-down power is the rate at which the Crab pulsar loses rotational energy, emitting it as radiation and particles.

How big is it?

4.6 × 10¹⁹ TW of power

Power · specified

Scale illustration of Crab pulsar spin-down power, calibrated to its power measurement.
The marked power represents 4.6 × 10¹⁹ TW.

A little perspective

About 3.54 times the power of Eddington luminosity of a solar-mass object.

Eddington luminosity of a solar-mass object: The Eddington luminosity of a solar-mass object is the theoretical maximum brightness a star with the Sun's mass can achieve before radiation pressure overcomes gravity.

Linear measure
ENERGY EACH SECOND4.6 × 10¹⁹ TW1.3 × 10¹⁹ TW
01
Crab pulsar spin-down power4.6 × 10¹⁹ TWPower
Power is energy per unit time: one watt is one joule per second.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +

Crab pulsar spin-down power

A curated crab pulsar spin-down power comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.

Defined examples — our methodology

The marked power is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Eddington luminosity of a solar-mass object

A curated eddington luminosity of a solar-mass object comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.

Defined examples — our methodology

The marked power is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

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Why this measurement?

Why we use 4.6 × 10¹⁹ TW

For comparison, this page uses power. The record labels this value specified, so the stated convention rather than an inferred average controls the comparison.

A curated crab pulsar spin-down power comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.

The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →

Explore power and output →

Recorded properties

Crab pulsar spin-down power dimensions and measurements

PropertySelected valueRecorded rangeBasis
4.6 × 10¹⁹ TWNot recordedspecified

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These links use compatible power records, ordered around the selected value.

Sources and method

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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.

Read the measurement and artwork methodology →

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