Rapidly Spinning Neutron Stars and Emission Mechanisms - Lecture 1

Explore the fascinating world of rapidly spinning neutron stars and their emission mechanisms in this comprehensive lecture by Keith Riles. Delve into the astrophysics of these extreme cosmic objects as part of the Summer School on Gravitational-Wave Astronomy organized by the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences. Learn about the potential sources of continuous gravitational waves, focusing on rapidly spinning neutron stars in our galaxy. Discover the latest advancements in gravitational-wave astronomy and gain insights into the upcoming observing runs of LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA. Understand the significance of these observations in the context of detecting signals from exotic sources such as axion clouds around black holes. This lecture serves as a foundation for understanding the complex physics behind neutron star emissions and their role in the broader field of gravitational-wave astronomy.