ITWire

So, astronomers, if detecting one of these electroweak stars, might think they are looking at a neutron star that is denser than theory would predict.

However, in such a situation, its ultra-dense form would prevent it from cooling down, as is the case with neutron stars.

The January 4, 2010 New Scientist article Exotic stars may mimic big bang states, “The cores of these stellar corpses can reach the same density as that of the universe 10-10 seconds after the big bang. At that point, the distinction between the electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces breaks down."

"This allows quarks to turn into ghostly particles called neutrinos, releasing energy that props up the star against further collapse. The reactions would take place in an apple-sized region in the core weighing about two Earths.”

Additional information on the process that elecroweak stars go through can be found in the December 15, 2009 ScienceDaily article “Theorists Propose a New Way to Shine -- And a New Kind of Star: 'Electroweak'.”

Also, take a look at the TechnologyReview.com article “Astronomers Predict New Class of ‘Electroweak’ Star”.

In their scientific paper (as stated by Fox News), the researchers wrote: "In this process, which we call electroweak burning, huge amounts of energy can be released.” [Fox News: “Science Adds a New Class of Stars: Electroweak”]

“This [process] is long enough to represent a new stage in the evolution of a star if stellar evolution can take it there.” [Fox News]

"Electroweak stars would be an exciting addition to the diverse menagerie of astrophysical bodies that the universe provides…. Nevertheless, considerable work remains to be done before we can claim with confidence that such objects will form in the natural process of stellar evolution, or that they will indeed burn steadily for an extended period." [Fox News]