What is the approximate upper limit for the remnant core mass to form a stable neutron star?

Answer

Roughly three solar masses

The determination of what remains after a massive star undergoes core collapse depends critically on the mass of the core that survived the supernova shockwave. If this remnant core mass is less than approximately three times the mass of the Sun, the powerful outward repulsive force known as neutron degeneracy pressure is sufficient to counteract the relentless inward pull of gravity. This pressure arises from the quantum mechanical resistance of neutrons packed together densely. When this pressure prevails, the collapse halts, resulting in the formation of an incredibly dense object known as a neutron star. If the mass surpasses this limit, even neutron degeneracy pressure fails, leading inevitably to the creation of a black hole.

What is the approximate upper limit for the remnant core mass to form a stable neutron star?

Related Questions

What core mass generally defines a star as "massive" by astronomers?Which element's accumulation in the core causes the star to lose its primary energy source during fusion?What analogy describes the internal structure of a massive star during layered fusion?What is the approximate upper limit for the remnant core mass to form a stable neutron star?What event immediately follows the halting of the core collapse in a massive star's implosion?What term describes rapidly spinning neutron stars that sweep beams of radiation across space?How do Sun-like stars typically end their lives compared to massive stellar titans?What condition leads to the formation of a black hole instead of a neutron star remnant?Which elements heavier than iron are synthesized during the final moments of a supernova explosion?Over what approximate timescale can the core of a massive star collapse down to a few tens of kilometers?
astronomystellar evolutionsupernovablack holemassive star