Ages of the Federation is a new total conversion mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion. This mod takes place in the Enterprise and Original series eras, focusing on the conflict between the early Federation and Klingon Empire. A resurgent Romulan Star Empire, angry and still licking its wounds after their defeat to Earth and her allies waits in the shadows, ready to take advantage of any of misstep by either the warring powers. The Xindi, new to the galactic stage are also eager to forge their own path.
A magnificent new star by Max that you can expect to see in Ages of the Federation - the Pulsar.
In reality pulsars are highly magnetised neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation. These stars rotate at precise intervals, giving them a pulsing appearance as the beams of radiation can only be seen when directed at the observer. It's the cosmic equivalent of swinging a flashlight around your head in a dark room. For some reason. What an odd thing to do.
We're not yet decided precisely what effect these stars are going to have on your ships when you pass through their gravity well, but we're leaning towards having them gradually replenish your energy reserves. For the gameplay we have in mind, that will make these stars highly valuable.
Memory Alpha - Galactic Archives.
Data Entry - 43892/B - Exotic Stellar Bodies
Sub-File - #12 - Neutron Star's and Related Bodies - Abridged for Domestic Access.
Some Information has been redacted and/or changed to make it more accessible and understandable. For example, exact mathematical formulae may be removed in favour of a more laymans approach.
The Neutron Star is the remnant core of what was once a larger star between 10 to 30 solar masses, in "Death" they are amongst the smallest and most dense type of star known to exist beyond Quark Stars and the hypothetical Strange Stars.
On Average they have a radius of 10 Kilometers and a mass range of 1.4 to 3 S-Masses. They are born from the gravitational collapse in conjunction with a supernova. This process compresses the core past that of a "White Dwarf".
In schools on Earth the size of these starts is often represented by a Marble or Ping-Pong Ball, while standard G-Type Stars (Sol for Example) are often represented by a Basketball.
Neutron stars are so heavily compressed that their very gravitational field has the power to "tare" apart planets it can come into contact to. Making a Rouge Neutron Star one of thee most dangerous threats to space fairing civilisations.
Related to the Neutron Star is the Pulsar. They are highly magnetised, rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation. As a result they have in the past been used as "Galactic Lighthouses". Guiding space faring individuals without access to more sophisticated navigational sensors or those whose access to such technologies is limited or lost.
The most famous examples of Pulsars are known as the Vela, Crab and Geminga Pulsars. The Vela is famed for it's "Helicopter" sound (An ancient aircraft unique to Earth). The Crab was famed more for it's "Annoying" Sound, rotating so fast that it sounded like a constant vibration. While Geminga is famed not for it's sound, but it's "Ghost" like appearance when viewed with the ancient "Chandra" X-Ray telescope built by Earth.
Pulsar's, like their Neutron Star siblings are equally dangerous. The EM Fields and strong Gravitational forces are significant enough to pose a threat to even the most advanced shields known to Federation science. The same fields, like it's Neutron Star siblings, are capable of warping and destroying planets, starships, asteroids and anything unlucky enough to get close enough.
Pulsars however, should never be confused for Magnetars, which are by far a significantly more dangerous and equally more wondrous star.
The Magnetar has at times by Human scientists been simplified as "a Pulsars abusive father", or "a Pulsar that takes steroids and never leaves the gym".
Their magnetic fields have the power to cause significant damage to vessels and indeed entire systems from a significant distance. However due to the relatively rare nature of these stars, the exact distance is still not known. A Magnetar interestingly enough actually has a far slower rotation, meaning you wouldn't "Hear" it like you would a Pulsar, or see a bright beam of light spinning in the dark either. Indeed they spin at around 8-10 times per second, while still "Fast" it isn't as fast as it's relatives. These stars even have a magnetic field that is recorded at being 1 Quadrillion times more powerful than the Earths which measures as a measly 25-65µT (Micro-Tesla), making them to most magnetic objects in the known universe.
End of File
We at Memory Alpha are required to warn against civilian vessels travelling within at least:-
50 AU - Neutron Star
85 AU - Pulsar
120 AU - Magnetar
We thank you for your cooperation.
Oooooh, so science!