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</script>Background: The neutron skin of a heavy nucleus as well as many neutron-star properties are highly sensitive to the poorly constrained density dependence of the symmetry energy. Purpose: To provide for the first time meaningful theoretical errors and to assess the degree of correlation between the neutron-skin thickness of ${}^{208}$Pb and several neutron-star properties. Methods: A proper covariance analysis based on the predictions of an accurately-calibrated relativistic functional {\sl "FSUGold"} is used to quantify theoretical errors and correlation coefficients. Results: We find correlation coefficients of nearly one (or minus one) between the neutron-skin thickness of ${}^{208}$Pb and a host of observables of relevance to the structure, dynamics, and composition of neutron stars. Conclusions: We suggest that a follow-up PREX measurement, ideally with a 0.5% accuracy, could significantly constrain the equation of state of neutron-star matter.
15 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables
Nuclear Theory (nucl-th), Nuclear Theory, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, FOS: Physical sciences, Nuclear Experiment (nucl-ex), Nuclear Experiment, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
Nuclear Theory (nucl-th), Nuclear Theory, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, FOS: Physical sciences, Nuclear Experiment (nucl-ex), Nuclear Experiment, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 69 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
