On fast X-ray rotators with long-term periodicities.
Abstract
The support of previous SAS 3 spacecraft observations by new data gathered by the Monitor Proportional Counter aboard the HEAO 2 spacecraft indicates that the pulse period history of the 13.5 sec-pulsing X-ray source LMC X-4 is consistent with standard accretion and torque models only if LMC X-4 is a fast rotator for which the accretion torques nearly cancel. This result leads to a neutron star magnetic field strength estimate of about 1.2 x 10 to the 13th G. Strong evidence is noted for Her X-1's status as a fast rotator, while SMC X-1 is probably an intermediate-to-fast rotator. In the context of slaved disk models for these objects, it is noted that the precession periods expected for the companion stars are significantly longer than the observed 1-2 month time scales; slaved disk models are thereby undermined.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1086/163006
- Bibcode:
- 1985ApJ...290..487N
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Neutron Stars;
- Stellar Rotation;
- X Ray Sources;
- Accretion Disks;
- Earth Magnetosphere;
- Heao 2;
- Magnetic Stars;
- Precession;
- Sas-3;
- Space Commercialization;
- Stellar Mass Accretion;
- Astrophysics