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Interesting article in the New Scientist, 3rd of February issue. The idea is that as neutron stars spin, a narrow cone of radiation is emitted which is detected as a series of blips by receivers here on earth. It is claimed that the regularity of these blips - that is, the precision of the interval between blips - is good enough to use neutron stars as the equivalent of 'GPS beacons' in space. We know where they are and so the phase difference between the blips from different neutron stars can be used to as a means of finding oneself in deep space. It seems that the accuracy of using this method to check the position of interplanetary space craft will be better than current methods.

Geoffrey Kolbe