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Orbital decay in M82 X-2
- Source :
- The Astrophysical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal, 2022, 937, ⟨10.3847/1538-4357/ac8d67⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- M82 X-2 is the first pulsating ultraluminous X-ray source (PULX) discovered. The luminosity of these extreme pulsars, if isotropic, implies an extreme mass transfer rate. An alternative is to assume a much lower mass transfer rate, but with an apparent luminosity boosted by geometrical beaming. Only an independent measurement of the mass transfer rate can help discriminate between these two scenarios. In this Paper, we follow the orbit of the neutron star for seven years, measure the decay of the orbit ($\dot{P}_{orb}/{P}_{orb}\approx-8\cdot10^{-6}\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$), and argue that this orbital decay is driven by extreme mass transfer of more than 150 times the mass transfer limit set by the Eddington luminosity. If this is true, the mass available to the accretor is more than enough to justify its luminosity, with no need for beaming. This also strongly favors models where the accretor is a highly-magnetized neutron star.<br />Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
- Subjects :
- High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE)
[SDU.ASTR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
FOS: Physical sciences
Orbital evolution
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
[SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics]
Space and Planetary Science
Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA)
Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Ultraluminous x-ray sources
Pulsar timing method
ddc:530
Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Pulsars
Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0004637X and 15384357
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Astrophysical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal, 2022, 937, ⟨10.3847/1538-4357/ac8d67⟩
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....93647e319255c44286749a620b688aba