Neutron Stars start out with extremely strong magnetic fields, created by their fast rotation and because they are made of highly conductive material (just like our molten Iron core on Earth). Neutron stars are made up entirely of neutrons (hence the name) with the density of an atomic nucleus. All the electrons have been crushed into the protons, making neutrons.

The existence of Neutron stars was highly speculated. Neutron stars were finally discovered by Jocelyn Bell in 1967.. in the form of Radio Pulsars!! If we are lucky enough to be in the path of their sweeping (light-house-like) radio emission, then we will see light coming from their magnetic poles: So, as the pulsar rotates around, it sweeps the sky with radiation created along its magnetic pole. The radiation comes out in a fairly narrow cone. click here to see an animated version..

When ever this cone sweeps past, we see this in the radio:

All pulsars are neutron stars. But are all neutron stars pulsars?