A Hydrodynamical Analysis of the Burning of a Neutron Star

The burning of a neutron star by strange matter is analyzed using relativistic combustion theory with a planar geometry. It is shown that such burning is probably neither slow combustion nor simple detonation. Fast combustion without detonation is possible under certain circumstances, but would involve very efficient heat transfer mechanisms. It is found, however, that the burning is most likely absolutely unstable with no well defined burn front.