300 gamma-ray-blasting neutron stars found in massive haul — and some are 'spider pulsars'

A diagram of the Milky Way with dots showing where the newfound pulsars are roughly located.

The Fermi gamma-ray space telescope has discovered around 300 rapidly spinning neutron stars. Each of the newfound objects sweep two beams of radiation across the universe like a cosmic lighthouse. 

These neutron stars are known to spin hundreds of times per second and are specifically called millisecond pulsars; prior to the launch of Fermi in 2008, humanity was aware of less than ten examples of such bodies. They're particularly of note because they blast out a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation known as gamma-rays. Moreover, within this clutch of never-before-seen neutron stars are several so-called "spider pulsars," which are believed to devour their companion stars (any stars locked in orbit with them) like black widow spiders devour their mates.