Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-03-27
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in A&A Letters, 5 pages, 5 figures
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20065093
The XMM-Newton spectra of the isolated neutron star RX J0720.4-3125 obtained over 4.5 years can be described by sinusoidal variations in the inferred blackbody temperature, the size of the emitting area and the depth of the absorption line with a period of 7.1 +/- 0.5 years, which we suggest to be the precession period of the neutron star. Precession of a neutron star with two hot spots of different temperature and size, probably not located exactly in antipodal positions, may account for the variations in the X-ray spectra, changes in the pulsed fraction, shape of the light curve and the phase-lag between soft and hard energy bands observed from RX J0720.4-3125. An independent sinusoidal fit to published and new pulse timing residuals from a coherent analysis covering ~12 years yields a consistent period of 7.7 +/- 0.6 years supporting the precession model.
de Vries Cor P.
Haberl Franck
Méndez Mariano
Turolla Roberto
Verbunt Frank
No associations
LandOfFree
Evidence for precession of the isolated neutron star RX J0720.4-3125 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Evidence for precession of the isolated neutron star RX J0720.4-3125, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence for precession of the isolated neutron star RX J0720.4-3125 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-412956