Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jul 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996hst..prop.6601c&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #6601
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Hst Proposal Id #6601 Hot Stars
Scientific paper
We propose planetary camera imaging of 8 new binary millisecond pulsars to detect and characterize their white dwarf companions. This is part of an ongoing program in which we intend to enlarge the sample of known white dwarf companions as new millisecond pulsars are discovered. The importance of our study is four-fold. The temperatures for the white dwarfs constrain cooling models for some of the oldest and least massive white dwarfs known. The ages calculated from cooling models allow determination of recycled pulsar birth rates and populations from our sample, as well as estimation of initial spin periods {and hence mass transfer rates} for the pulsar. The masses of the white dwarfs, tightly constrained by two-filter photometry plus independent distance measurements, provide a crucial test of the stellar evolution theory which links the white dwarf mass with the current orbital period by invoking Roche lobe overflow of the white dwarf progenitor. Finally, the astrometric positions will serve as a first epoch for proper motion measurements and reference frame tie to the dynamical reference frame of pulsar timing. The velocity distribution of the population will distinguish between supernova {high kick velocity} and accretion induced collapse {low kick velocity} origins for the neutron stars. Based on the success of our Cycle 5 observations and with estimated magnitudes m_I 25.5 and m_V 26.0 for the white dwarfs in our sample, we expect that most of these sources will be detected with 1 orbit for each filter.
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