Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006aas...208.3603l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society Meeting 208, #36.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.112
Physics
Scientific paper
Using RossiXTE, astronomers have discovered that disk-accreting neutron stars with weak magnetic fields produce three distinct types of kilohertz X-ray oscillations. The oscillations are powered by the gravitational binding energy of matter that has fallen onto the surface of the star or by nuclear burning of this matter. Their frequencies reflect the orbital frequencies of gas deep in the strong gravitational field of the neutron star and the spin frequency of the star. These oscillations can therefore be used to explore fundamental physics, such as strong-field gravity and the properties of matter under extreme conditions, and important astrophysical questions, such as the formation and evolution of millisecond pulsars. RossiXTE observations have revealed that dozens of neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binary systems have the spin rates and magnetic fields needed to become millisecond radio-emitting pulsars when accretion ceases but that few, if any, have spin rates above about 750 Hz. This is due in part to magnetic braking and the limited amount of angular momentum that can be accreted in such systems. Further study will show whether gravitational radiation is also involved. Analysis of the kilohertz oscillations has provided the first evidence for the existence of the innermost stable circular orbit around dense relativistic stars that is predicted by strong-field general relativity. It has also greatly narrowed the possible descriptions of ultradense matter. This research was supported in part by NASA grant NAG5-12030, NSF grant AST0098399, and funds of the Fortner Endowed Chair at Illinois.
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