Ye Zhetai said with great interest, "Tell me, what are your thoughts?"
In the real world, although Yang Xuebin studied computers, he was still in an era of information explosion.
Even if he didn't pay much attention to astronomy, he knew a lot about it.
And some knowledge had not yet emerged in this era.
For example, pulsars.
As a student of the Qinghua University Physics Department, and specializing in astrophysics, he didn't recall the term 'pulsar' in his memory, which is why he had a sudden inspiration to bring up the navigation problem for space travel.
In fact, pulsars would only be discovered by Y-country people next year.
Yang Xuebin quickly organized his thoughts and slowly said, "While recently studying stellar evolution, I discovered through mathematical model calculations that there should be a special type of neutron star in the universe."
Neutron stars are the late-stage products of stellar evolution.
According to mathematical models of stars, when a star with more than ten solar masses enters its later years, the hydrogen, helium, carbon, and other elements in its core will be consumed in nuclear fusion, eventually transforming into iron.
For iron to continue nuclear fusion, it requires even stronger pressure and temperature.
But at this point, the star can no longer provide them.
Consequently, the nuclear fusion reaction in the star's core weakens, causing the energy released from the core to be unable to counteract its own gravity, leading to a massive implosion inward, ultimately resulting in a huge explosion.
This unprecedented explosion is like a grand firework display in the dark, boundless universe, dazzling and brilliant, and is called a supernova explosion.
A supernova explosion is one of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena in the universe; it is the star's last roar before death.
A neutron star is the product of a supernova explosion, or it can be called the corpse of a star.
It has an extremely high density, exceeding hundreds of millions of tons per cubic centimeter.
In terms of density, it is second only to a black hole.
Yang Xuebin continued, "This special type of neutron star, due to the conservation of angular momentum during stellar collapse, often rotates very quickly after collapsing into a neutron star with a very small radius.
One rotation might take a few seconds, or even a few milliseconds.
And because its magnetic field's magnetic axis is usually not parallel to its rotation axis, its electromagnetic waves can only be emitted from the magnetic poles, forming a conical radiation zone.
The radiation from the neutron star, after emerging from both ends of the magnetic poles, forms two conical beams of radiation.
If we happen to be in the direction of this radiation beam, theoretically we should be able to receive regular pulsed signals, which is why I call this special type of neutron star a pulsar."
Whoa!
Although Yang Xuebin hadn't finished speaking, the entire classroom was already abuzz.
"pulsar, what a vivid concept!"
"But do pulsars really exist in the universe, since even neutron stars are still just a concept?"
"Whether it exists or not, this conjecture is sufficient for a graduation thesis."
..."Is this true? Have you created a mathematical model for pulsar formation?"
Ye Zhetai was also extremely excited.
It's important to know that in this era, all cutting-edge science originated from the West.
If Yang Xuebin's prediction could come true, it would be an immense honor and greatly boost national confidence.
Of course, Yang Xuebin hadn't created it.
But now, he could only nod: "It's largely complete, but still needs refinement."
"Good, good, good!"
Ye Zhetai repeated "good" three times and said loudly, "Refine this theory as soon as possible, and then write it into a paper and give it to me."
Yang Xuebin nodded: "Understood, Professor."
A sharp glint flashed in Ye Zhetai's eyes, and he said excitedly, "If I'm not mistaken, the space navigation problem you mentioned should involve using the characteristics of pulsars for positioning.
Hmm, pulsars have extremely strong magnetic fields, and they move regularly and continuously, like lighthouses in the ocean at night, constantly flashing on and off.
Even in the depths of space, their signals can be received.
Therefore, theoretically, as long as we record enough pulsars and create a distribution star map of pulsars in the Milky Way, we will be able to easily perform precise positioning and navigation."
It must be said that Ye Zhetai's caliber was truly high; he instantly grasped the key point.
Yang Xuebin praised, "Professor, you are right. I call this characteristic of pulsars the 'Lighthouse Effect,' and as long as we use a radio telescope to detect these regular pulsed signals, we can confirm it's a pulsar, and also consequently prove the existence of neutron stars."
The concept of neutron stars has been proposed for a long time, but it has not yet been confirmed.
Just like the concept of black holes also existed for a long time, but was only proven in the new century.
"Lighthouse Effect, a very good name!"
Ye Zhetai clapped his hands and smiled, "As for your prediction, it's not too difficult to verify. Professor Wang of our Qinghua University has just overseen the construction of our country's first small radio telescope.
I will contact him shortly and ask for his help in verification.
If pulsars can indeed be discovered, this will be one of the greatest astronomical discoveries of this century.
And you, too, will be recorded in history."
Whoa!
All the students were again in an uproar; Ye Zhetai's evaluation was simply too high.
They looked at Yang Xuebin, envy flashing in their eyes.
As for jealousy.
Most people didn't feel it.
It wasn't that their dispositions were all good, but rather that they had long grown accustomed to Yang Xuebin's 'top student' persona, and had long given up any thoughts of competition, naturally reducing jealousy.
Generally speaking, people easily feel jealous of those who are slightly stronger than themselves.
But for those who are looked up to, there is only admiration in their hearts.
"Thank you, Professor."
Yang Xuebin suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but be overjoyed.
He suddenly thought of Red Coast Base.
To complete the side mission of saving Earth, he must enter Red Coast Base.
Red Coast Base is the national base for searching for alien civilizations, and it urgently needs astronomical talent. If he becomes the predictor of pulsars, he will certainly enter the high-level's radar, and in the future, he will have a great chance to be transferred to the base.
As long as he enters Red Coast Base, he can prevent Ye Wenjie from revealing Earth's location.
Although even without Ye Wenjie, the Trisolaran fleet would still invade Earth, because according to the original work, the Trisolaran Civilization had long discovered that their star system once had twelve planets.
Eleven of them had already been captured by the three stars and plunged into the endless sea of fire of the stars.
Trisolaris was merely a fish that slipped through the net in this cosmic hunt, but it too was destined to follow the fate of the other planets in 1.5 to 2 million years, plunging headfirst into the star's sea of fire.
This was only predicted data, not considering the 'breathing of stars,' which is stellar expansion.
The current Trisolaran stars are still in a state of contraction; once their outer atmosphere expands due to mutual gravity, it might open like a gaping maw, swallowing the Trisolaran Civilization whole.
Because of this, the Trisolaran Civilization urgently needed to find a new home.
And the closest Solar System was naturally the first choice.
They would inevitably dispatch a fleet.
In fact, the Trisolaran Civilization's First Fleet was already nearing completion.
In the original work, after receiving Ye Wenjie's message, they dispatched the First Fleet in just six years.
Six years was clearly not enough time to build an expeditionary fleet.
The only explanation was that they had already mostly built it.
In any case, the Solar System only has one star, and no matter how harsh the environment, it couldn't be worse than the Trisolaris System.
Yang Xuebin couldn't stop the Trisolaran Civilization's plan, but he could prevent them from accelerating it.
As long as they didn't know the Solar System had a civilization, the Trisolaran Civilization wouldn't send two sophons to Earth, locking down the basic science of Earth's civilization. And without the sophons' blockade, the First Fleet would be coming to its death over four hundred years later.
Although he couldn't complete the 'become a Wallfacer' mission, Yang Xuebin couldn't just stand by and watch countless people die in this crisis for the sake of completing a mission.
After all, this wasn't a game, but a real world.
Ye Zhetai gently pressed his hand, signaling Yang Xuebin to sit down, and said with a smile, "With your academic level, you don't need to answer the previous questions anymore. Class is about to end; come with me to the office later."
"Understood, Professor."