Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2012
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21921801l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #218.01
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Discoveries made using RXTE's unique capabilities produced a revolution in our understanding of neutron stars, a revolution that has had a broad impact on astronomy. The discovery of accreting neutron stars with millisecond spin periods demonstrated the long-sought evolutionary link between neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binary systems and the millisecond rotation-powered pulsars and has led to a much better understanding of the evolution of neutron star masses, magnetic fields, and spin rates, and the prospects for detecting gravitational radiation from neutron stars. High-time-resolution studies of thermonuclear X-ray bursts and the discovery of millisecond burst oscillations have revolutionized our understanding of the nuclear and radiation physics of these bursts, confirmed that there is a limit to the spin-up of neutron stars by accretion torques, and created new possibilities for determining their masses and radii. The discovery of accretion-powered kilohertz oscillations -- the fastest variability known in all of astronomy -- has provided a new probe of strong-field general relativity and new constraints on the properties of accretion disks and neutron stars. In addition to these major discoveries, RXTE has enabled a wealth of other discoveries and advances, including the demonstration that soft gamma-ray repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars are neutron stars with similar properties, the development of improved models of accretion disks and binary star evolution, and a better understanding of the interaction of disks and magnetospheres and the formation of relativistic jets. In addition to resolving many fundamental questions, discoveries made using RXTE have raised important new questions, making clear the need for a follow-on mission with enhanced timing capabilities. This research was supported by NSF grant AST0709015 and the Fortner Endowed Chair at the University of Illinois.
No associations
LandOfFree
RXTE's Contributions to Our Understanding of Neutron Stars 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 RXTE's Contributions to Our Understanding of Neutron Stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and RXTE's Contributions to Our Understanding of Neutron Stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1577783