Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139

Details Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139 Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139

2001-05-23

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0105405v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

13 pages, 4 figures, submitted to ApJ

Scientific paper

10.1086/342306

Using the Chandra/ACIS-I detector, we have identified an X-ray source (CXOU 132619.7-472910.8) in the globular cluster NGC 5139 with a thermal spectrum identical to that observed from transiently accreting neutron stars in quiescence. The absence of intensity variability on timescales as short as 4 seconds (< 25% rms variability) and as long as 5 years (<50% variability) supports the identification of this source as a neutron star, most likely maintained at a high effective temperature (approximately 1e6 K) by transient accretion from a binary companion. The ability to spectrally identify quiescent neutron stars in globular clusters (where the distance and interstellar column densities are known) opens up new opportunities for precision neutron star radius measurements.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139 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 Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-97925