Scientists have discovered how to predict earthquake-like events in pulsars. These explosive episodes likely crack a pulsar's dense crust and momentarily bump up its spin rate. Using NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, the team has tracked about 20 "starquakes" on one particular pulsar over the past eight years and uncovered a remarkably simple, predictive pattern.

Neutron stars periodically erupt for reasons unclear. This may involve a starquake, in which the star surface cracks. (Credit: Darlene McElroy of LANL)