A TEAM of astronomers have been baffled by a star spinning out of control.

The experts, partly-funded by the Swindon-based Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, have been investigating a pulsar a type of star which sends periodic signals.

Usually the signals are stable and can be used as clocks, but now scientists have found a pulsar that is out of control and spinning through space.

Scientists found that signals from the pulsar, called RX J0720.4-3125, were not consistent.

They found that over the past four years the temperature of the object was rising, but recent observations have, however, shown that has reversed and the temperature is now decreasing.

Research suggests this effect is not due to a change in temperature, but due to a change in the angle from which they are viewing the object that means the star is tumbling.

Dr Silvia Zane, of the University College London, said: "Having discovered that the changes observed during the recent years are because the movement bringing different parts of its surface with different thermal/magnetic properties into view, paves the way to study the surface properties, bringing unique information on neutron star physics.