Neutron stars have been called the zombies of the cosmos, shining on even though they're technically dead, and occasionally feeding on a neighboring star if it gets too close.

By Mal Vincent, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. May 16--THINK ABOUT THE GREATEST movies of all time and then think of music. It's not easy to come up with a list that narrows it even to the top 75 greatest music scores.

XMM-Newton has given astronomers and physics a valuable new insight into the most exotic stars in the Universe. Known as neutron stars, the composition of these extremely dense stellar objects has always been something of a puzzle.

XMM-Newton has detected periodic X-ray emission, or the pulsed heartbeat of a weird new type of star. Collecting the X-rays from the so-called rotating radio transient has confirmed the nature of the underlying celestial object.

CHARLOTTE The Kennedys perform at 8 p.m. Friday at The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. Tickets are $12 in advance or $10 at the door. Call (800) 594--TIXX or visit www.musictoday.com.