The binary companion of young, relativistic pulsar J1906+0746
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Abstract
- PSR J1906+0746 is a young pulsar in the relativistic binary with the second-shortest known orbital period, of 3.98 hr.
We here present a timing study based on five years of observations, conducted with the five largest radio telescopes
in the world, aimed at determining the companion nature. Through the measurement of three post-Keplerian orbital
parameters, we find the pulsar mass to be 1.291(11)M(circle dot) and the companion mass 1.322(11)M(circle dot), respectively.
These masses fit well in the observed collection of double neutron stars (DNSs), but are also compatible with other
systems where a young pulsar such as J1906+0746 is orbited by a white dwarf (WD). Neither radio pulsations nor
dispersion-inducing outflows that could have further established the companion nature were detected.We derive an
H I-absorption distance, which indicates that an optical confirmation of a WD companion is very challenging. The
pulsar is fading fast due to geodetic precession, limiting future timing improvements. We conclude that the young
pulsar J1906+0746 is likely part of a DNS, or is otherwise orbited by an older WD, in an exotic system formed
through two stages of mass transfer.
| Title | The binary companion of young, relativistic pulsar J1906+0746 |
|---|---|
| Creator | Kasian, L. |
| Janssen, G. H. | |
| Lyne, A. G. | |
| Stappers, B. W. | |
| Nice, David J. | |
| Weisberg, J. M. | |
| Freire, P. C. C. | |
| Lorimer, D. R. | |
| Desvignes, G. | |
| Van Leeuwen, J. | |
| Kramer, M. | |
| Camilo, F. | |
| Stairs, I. H. | |
| Ransom, S. M. | |
| Cognard, I. | |
| Chatterjee, S. | |
| Publisher | Astrophysical Journal |
| Academic Department | Physics |
| Division | Natural Sciences |
| Organization | Lafayette College |
| Date Issued | January 10, 2015 |
| Date Available | 2015-04-06T18:53:25Z |
| Type | Article |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | white dwarfs |
| binaries: close | |
| pulsars: individual (PSR J1906+0746) | |
| stars: neutron | |
| Bibliographic Citation | Van Leeuwen, J., et al. (2015 Jan. 10) "The binary companion of young, relativistic pulsar J1906+0746." Astrophysical Journal 798: 118 (15 pp). |
| Standard Identifier | Handle 10385/1775 |
| DOI 10.1088/0004-637X/798/2/118 | |
| Permalink | http://hdl.handle.net/10385/1775 |
| Rights Statement |
In Copyright
|
| Rights Holders | The American Astronomical Society |
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| File | Nice-AstrophysicalJournal-vol798-2015.pdf | Uploaded 2019-10-20 | Public | Download |
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