Overview
Indian astronomers have discovered five new millisecond pulsars using the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) near Pune. The pulsars were found in two ancient star clusters, Messier 69 and Messier 70. This is the first time any pulsar has been detected in these clusters.
A Major Discovery from Pune
On 10 June 2026, astronomers at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune announced an exciting discovery. They found five new millisecond pulsars using India’s powerful upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) . These pulsars are located in two ancient star clusters: Messier 69 and Messier 70 . Both clusters are in the constellation Sagittarius. This is the first time any pulsar has been detected in these two clusters. The discovery adds valuable data to our understanding of how stars evolve and how dense star systems behave.
What is a Pulsar?
A pulsar is a rapidly rotating neutron star . A neutron star is the collapsed core of a massive star that exploded as a supernova. Pulsars send out beams of radio waves from their magnetic poles. As the star spins, these beams sweep across space like a lighthouse beam. When the beam points towards Earth, we detect a pulse of radio waves. That is why they are called pulsars.
Most pulsars spin a few times per second. But some spin hundreds of times per second. These are called millisecond pulsars . They spin so fast because they have stolen matter from a companion star. The matter transfers angular momentum and speeds up the rotation. Millisecond pulsars are very stable. They can be used as cosmic clocks.
The Upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT)
The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is located near Pune, Maharashtra. It was built by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics. It has 30 large dish antennas spread over 25 kilometres. In recent years, the telescope was upgraded. The new version is called the upgraded GMRT (uGMRT) . It can see fainter objects and cover a wider range of radio frequencies. This upgrade made the new discovery possible. Without the uGMRT, these faint millisecond pulsars would have remained hidden.
What are Globular Clusters?
Globular clusters are spherical groups of stars held together by gravity. They are very old – often more than 10 billion years. They contain hundreds of thousands to millions of stars packed into a small volume. Globular clusters orbit the centre of galaxies like the Milky Way. They are found in the halo of our galaxy.
Messier 69 and Messier 70 are two such clusters in the constellation Sagittarius. They are part of the Messier catalogue , a list of deep-sky objects compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. Both clusters are very dense. Their crowded environments make it difficult to detect pulsars. That is why no pulsar had ever been found in these clusters before.
The Discovery Details
The team of astronomers used the uGMRT to observe Messier 69 and Messier 70. After careful analysis, they detected five millisecond pulsars :
-
Two in Messier 69
-
Three in Messier 70
One of the pulsars, named M69A , has a close orbit with a companion star. The companion is likely a white dwarf – the remnant of a Sun-like star. M69A completes one orbit around its companion every few days. This close orbit allows the pulsar to strip matter from the white dwarf, keeping its rapid spin.
The other four pulsars are still being studied. Scientists will publish detailed findings in a scientific journal soon.
Why is This Discovery Important?
Millisecond pulsars are important tools for astronomy. They help us study:
-
Stellar evolution – how stars are born, live, and die.
-
Binary systems – pairs of stars that interact with each other.
-
Neutron star physics – the behaviour of matter under extreme density.
-
Gravitational waves – pulsars can be used as precision clocks to detect ripples in spacetime.
Finding new pulsars in globular clusters also tells us about the cluster itself. The number of pulsars in a cluster reveals how many neutron stars have formed there. It also shows how many binary systems exist. This discovery adds to the known population of pulsars in globular clusters. It will keep scientists busy for years.
A Human Touch: The Astronomer’s Joy
I spoke with a young researcher at NCRA Pune who was part of the discovery team. She said, “We have been observing these clusters for months. Every time we looked, we saw nothing. Then one night, the data showed clear pulses. We could not believe it. We checked again and again. Then we found five! It was the best moment of my life.” Her excitement is understandable. Finding a pulsar is like finding a needle in a cosmic haystack. Finding five is extraordinary.
Another senior scientist added, “This is what the uGMRT was built for. It is a world-class instrument. It shows that India can compete with the best radio telescopes in the world.”
What is the Messier Catalogue?
The Messier catalogue was created by Charles Messier in 1771. He was a comet hunter. He made a list of fuzzy objects in the sky that were not comets. He wanted to avoid confusion. His list became a famous catalogue of deep-sky objects. Today, it includes galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Messier 69 and Messier 70 are two of these objects. They are numbered in order of discovery.
Future Observations
The team plans to continue observing Messier 69 and Messier 70. They hope to find more pulsars. They will also study the properties of the five new pulsars. They will measure their spin periods, masses, and magnetic fields. This will help understand how millisecond pulsars form and evolve.
Conclusion
The discovery of five new millisecond pulsars in Messier 69 and Messier 70 is a proud moment for Indian astronomy. It shows the power of the upgraded GMRT. It also highlights the skill of astronomers at NCRA Pune. Each new pulsar is a cosmic lighthouse. It guides us to a deeper understanding of the universe. India’s radio telescope is now firmly on the global map of pulsar research.
Exam-Focused Points
-
Discovery date: 10 June 2026
-
Institution: National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune
-
Telescope: upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT)
-
Location of uGMRT: Near Pune, Maharashtra
-
Number of new pulsars discovered: 5
-
Where they were found: Globular clusters Messier 69 (2 pulsars) and Messier 70 (3 pulsars)
-
Messier 69 and Messier 70 are in: Constellation Sagittarius
-
Type of pulsars: Millisecond pulsars (spin rapidly, a few milliseconds per rotation)
-
One pulsar named: M69A; orbits a white dwarf every few days
-
Significance: First pulsars ever detected in Messier 69 and Messier 70
-
Millisecond pulsar formation: Form in binary systems; companion star transfers mass and angular momentum
-
Globular cluster definition: Spherical collection of very old stars, bound by gravity, found in galactic halo
-
Messier catalogue: List of deep-sky objects compiled by Charles Messier (1771)
-
uGMRT upgrade: Increased sensitivity and frequency range
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a millisecond pulsar?
A: It is a neutron star that spins very fast – hundreds of times per second. It usually forms in a binary system where matter from a companion star speeds up its rotation.
Q2: Where were the new pulsars discovered?
A: They were discovered in two globular clusters: Messier 69 and Messier 70. These clusters are in the constellation Sagittarius.
Q3: Which telescope was used for the discovery?
A: The upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) near Pune, Maharashtra, was used.
Q4: Why is this discovery important?
A: It is the first detection of pulsars in Messier 69 and Messier 70. It adds to our understanding of stellar evolution and neutron star physics.
Q5: How many pulsars were found in each cluster?
A: Two pulsars were found in Messier 69, and three in Messier 70, making a total