If it were somehow possible to stand beside a neutron star and observe it from a safe distance, the appearance of the neutron star would be quite extraordinary. Here are some characteristics you might expect:
Intense Gravitational Field: Neutron stars are incredibly dense and possess an immense gravitational pull. As you approach a neutron star, you would experience an intense gravitational force, which could be fatal. However, assuming you are somehow protected, this extreme gravitational field would significantly affect light and other electromagnetic radiation passing close to the neutron star.
Strong Magnetic Field: Neutron stars often have powerful magnetic fields. The intense magnetic field would interact with charged particles in the surrounding space, causing emissions of high-energy radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays. These emissions might not be directly visible to the human eye, but specialized instruments could detect them.
Surface Features: Neutron stars are thought to have uneven surfaces, with variations in temperature, density, and magnetic field strength. They can possess mountains or bumps on their surfaces, caused by the immense gravitational forces and the intense magnetic fields. These surface irregularities could be highly concentrated and relatively small in size compared to the overall star.
No Perfect Mirror: While the surface of a neutron star would be incredibly smooth on microscopic scales, it wouldn't act as a perfect mirror. The star's immense gravitational field and magnetic field would distort and bend light passing close to it. This distortion could cause significant gravitational lensing effects, altering the appearance of objects in the background. Additionally, the intense radiation emitted by the neutron star could also affect the reflection of light.
Glowing and Radiating: Neutron stars are incredibly hot, with surface temperatures typically in the hundreds of thousands to millions of degrees Celsius. Due to this extreme heat, they emit thermal radiation, primarily in the form of X-rays and sometimes visible light. So, if you were somehow able to observe a neutron star, you would likely witness a bright, glowing object.
It's important to note that approaching a neutron star would be extremely dangerous due to its intense gravity, high temperatures, and other hazardous conditions. Neutron stars are best observed and studied from a safe distance using telescopes and other scientific instruments designed for that purpose.