After 20 years, scientists finally explain the Crab Pulsars strange zebra stripes

For decades, astronomers have been puzzled by strange zebra stripe patterns in radio waves from the Crab Pulsar - bright bands separated by complete darkness. Now, new research suggests the answer lies in a cosmic tug-of-war between gravity and plasma. The pulsars plasma spreads light apart, while gravity bends it back together, creating interference patterns that form the striking stripes.