Candidates for isolated neutron stars from the ROSAT survey
Abstract
So far two very good candidates for isolated neutron stars accreting interstellar matter have been discovered in ROSAT data. RXJ1856.5-3754 and RXJ0720.4-3125 exhibit very similar X-ray spectral and long term temporal properties. In addition RXJ0720.4-3125 shows 8.4 s pulsations which allow to constrain the magnetic field strength of the neutron star. For RXJ1856.5-3754 a 26th magnitude blue object was found as probable optical counterpart while RXJ0720.4-3125 is still awaiting its identification. We carried out a search for further candidates with similar properties in the ROSAT all-sky survey data of the galactic plane and present at least one further promising candidate.
- Publication:
-
Joint European and National Astronomical Meeting
- Pub Date:
- 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997jena.confE.264H