Mass and radius estimation for the neutron star in the X-ray burster 4U 1820-30
Abstract
We present a new method for determining masses and radii of neutron stars residing in thermonuclear X-ray burst sources. To illustrate this method, we apply it to a burst from the source 4U 1820-30 recorded by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer. Fits of the observed X-ray spectra to grids of Comptonized model atmospheres yield estimates for the mass and radius of the neutron star, M= 1.3 ± 0.6 M⊙ and R= 11+3- 2 km, respectively.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- August 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.18948.x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1105.1525
- Bibcode:
- 2011MNRAS.415.3344K
- Keywords:
-
- stars: individual: 4U 1820-30;
- stars: neutron;
- X-rays: bursts;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- MNRAS in print