Color-superconducting quark matter may explain stability of massive neutron stars

Describing matter in extreme conditions, such as those found inside neutron stars, remains an unsolved problem. The density of this material is equivalent to compressing approximately 100,000 Eiffel Towers into a single cubic centimeter. In particular, the properties of so-called quark matter, which is made up of the fundamental building blocks of the universe, quarks, and which can exist in extremely dense regions, play a central role.