| 释义 |
pulsar|ˈpʌlsɑː(r)|
[f. puls(ating st)ar, after quasar.]
1. Astr. A cosmic source of radio signals that pulsates with great regularity at intervals of the order of a second or less, and is believed to be a rapidly rotating neutron star. Also fig.
1968Daily Tel. 5 Mar. 21/3 An entirely novel kind of star..came to light on Aug. 6 last year and,..was referred to by astronomers as LGM (Little Green Men). Now..it is thought to be a novel type between a white dwarf and a neutron [sic]. The name Pulsar (Pulsating Star) is likely to be given to it... Dr. A. Hewish..told me yesterday: ‘..I am sure that today every radio telescope is looking at the Pulsars.’ 1968Time 26 Apr. 82 Under the careful scrutiny of increasing numbers of scientists around the world, astronomy's newest sensation—the pulsars—continued to beep away last week, confounding observers, with the breathtaking regularity of their signals. 1969New Yorker 19 Apr. 55/1 A tough-looking astronomer, whose ideas stretch beyond the moon to quasars and pulsars. 1972Sci. Amer. July 37/2 Although the pulsar in the Crab Nebula was first discovered at radio frequencies and was later studied visually, most of its energy is emitted in the X-ray range. 1973L. M. Boston Memory in House xi. 132 Oscar is a pulsar, an output of concentrated energy. 1977Dædalus Fall 45 Pulsars, that is, rotating neutron stars, have been detected in the Crab Nebula and in Vela X, a supernova remnant about ten times older than the Crab Nebula.
2. A kind of digital wrist-watch. (A proprietary name in the U.S.)
1970Daily Tel. 14 May 13/7 Production is expected to begin next year, but at first pulsars will be sold in a limited edition at $1,500. 1971Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 31 Aug. tm240/1 Hamilton Watch Co, Lancaster, Pa... Pulsar for watches... First use Apr. 27, 1970. 1977R. E. Harrington Quintain iii. 21 He flipped his wrist and the pulsar wristwatch winked on. 1979G. Swarthout Skeletons 69, I punched my Pulsar. Two minutes past nine p.m. |