Properties of the isolated neutron star RX J185635-3754

F. M. Walter; J. A. Pons; V. Burwitz; J. M. Lattimer; D. Lloyd; S. J. Wolk; M. Prakash; R. Neuhäuser

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.06.018

Physics and Astronomy

University of Valencia
Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics
Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. Astrophys.
Stony Brook University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Despite improved observational capabilities, the surface properties of neutron stars remain uncertain. In principle, multiwavelength spectra can reveal their compositions and angular diameters and constrain the interior equation of state. The Chandra LETG spectrum of the brightest isolated neutron star is a featureless continuum. The X-ray blackbody fit underpredicts the observed optical fluxes, but the spectral energy distribution can be fit with a two blackbody model. No pulsations are seen. We discuss model atmosphere fits. We conclude there is no need to invoke exotic physics: RX J185635-3754 is likely a 0.5 × 10 ⁶ years old pulsar.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	513-517
Number of pages	5
Journal	Advances in Space Research
Volume	33
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2003.06.018
State	Published - 2004

Keywords

Blackbody model
Isolated neutron star
Model atmospheres
RX J185635-3754

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10.1016/j.asr.2003.06.018

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title = "Properties of the isolated neutron star RX J185635-3754",

abstract = " Despite improved observational capabilities, the surface properties of neutron stars remain uncertain. In principle, multiwavelength spectra can reveal their compositions and angular diameters and constrain the interior equation of state. The Chandra LETG spectrum of the brightest isolated neutron star is a featureless continuum. The X-ray blackbody fit underpredicts the observed optical fluxes, but the spectral energy distribution can be fit with a two blackbody model. No pulsations are seen. We discuss model atmosphere fits. We conclude there is no need to invoke exotic physics: RX J185635-3754 is likely a 0.5 × 10 6 years old pulsar.",

keywords = "Blackbody model, Isolated neutron star, Model atmospheres, RX J185635-3754",

author = "Walter, \{F. M.\} and Pons, \{J. A.\} and V. Burwitz and Lattimer, \{J. M.\} and D. Lloyd and Wolk, \{S. J.\} and M. Prakash and R. Neuh{\"a}user",

year = "2004",

doi = "10.1016/j.asr.2003.06.018",

language = "English",

volume = "33",

pages = "513--517",

journal = "Advances in Space Research",

issn = "0273-1177",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Properties of the isolated neutron star RX J185635-3754

AU - Walter, F. M.

AU - Pons, J. A.

AU - Burwitz, V.

AU - Lattimer, J. M.

AU - Lloyd, D.

AU - Wolk, S. J.

AU - Prakash, M.

AU - Neuhäuser, R.

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - Despite improved observational capabilities, the surface properties of neutron stars remain uncertain. In principle, multiwavelength spectra can reveal their compositions and angular diameters and constrain the interior equation of state. The Chandra LETG spectrum of the brightest isolated neutron star is a featureless continuum. The X-ray blackbody fit underpredicts the observed optical fluxes, but the spectral energy distribution can be fit with a two blackbody model. No pulsations are seen. We discuss model atmosphere fits. We conclude there is no need to invoke exotic physics: RX J185635-3754 is likely a 0.5 × 10 6 years old pulsar.

AB - Despite improved observational capabilities, the surface properties of neutron stars remain uncertain. In principle, multiwavelength spectra can reveal their compositions and angular diameters and constrain the interior equation of state. The Chandra LETG spectrum of the brightest isolated neutron star is a featureless continuum. The X-ray blackbody fit underpredicts the observed optical fluxes, but the spectral energy distribution can be fit with a two blackbody model. No pulsations are seen. We discuss model atmosphere fits. We conclude there is no need to invoke exotic physics: RX J185635-3754 is likely a 0.5 × 10 6 years old pulsar.

KW - Blackbody model

KW - Isolated neutron star

KW - Model atmospheres

KW - RX J185635-3754

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/1842690986

U2 - 10.1016/j.asr.2003.06.018

DO - 10.1016/j.asr.2003.06.018

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:1842690986

SN - 0273-1177

VL - 33

SP - 513

EP - 517

JO - Advances in Space Research

JF - Advances in Space Research

IS - 4

ER -

Properties of the isolated neutron star RX J185635-3754

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Keywords

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