Pulsars and neutron star formation [2]

THE current popularity of the rotating neutron star hypothesis as an explanation of pulsars suggests that a re-examination of the problem of the formation of neutron stars is appropriate. In particular it is of interest to know the predictions of the theory of stellar evolution concerning the formation of neutron stars and the type of object from which they are formed. I present here a few plausible assumptions that lead to some surprising]y general predictions. It will be suggested that pulsars are formed from massive O stars; observational tests of this hypothesis are possible and will be discussed.