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The Cosmic One-Eyed Smile: Revealing the Hidden Face of Mike Wazowski

2025/03/29 by Chun Huang, Chunming Huang, Huang, Chun · 9 voices
Physics and Astronomy · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2503.22914

Abstract

We present a novel and somewhat whimsical approach to pulsar hotspot modeling by drawing inspiration from the iconic one-eyed monster, Mike Wazowski, from Monsters, Inc.. Utilizing X-ray high-quality timing data from NICER, we apply a Bayesian inference framework to model the X-ray pulse profile of PSR J0437--4715. Our analysis employs a Wazowski Configuration (WC) in which the conventional hotspot parametrization is replaced with a predefined image template, whose redness and size are adjusted to mimic temperature variations. The results reveal a configuration where two hotspots--one brighter and smaller in the north represents the energetic ``University time Wazowski", and one larger yet cooler in the south represents the ``Monster, Inc. time Wazowski"--combine to produce the observed X-ray pulse profile. These findings not only demonstrate the sensitivity of pulse profile modeling to hotspot morphology but also open up the intriguing possibility that the X-ray emission of some pulsars may be interpreted as a cosmic homage to our favorite animated character.

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