Implications of the millisecond pulsar for neutron star models.
Abstract
The constraints imposed by the high spin rate of PSR 1937+214 on the masses and radii of nonrotating neutron stars that can be spun up to such a short period are examined. Assuming uniform rotation, it is found that none of the currently viable nuclear equations of state can be ruled out. However, the discovery of a single pulsar with period of less than about 0.5 ms would rule out all current equations of state. Assuming that PSR 1937+214 was spun up uniformly from a nonrotating progenitor requires that the maximum mass of a nonrotating star in general relativity cannot exceed 12.5 solar masses, independent of any knowledge of the equation of state. This limit decreases linearly with the shortest known period of a pulsar.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1086/161332
- Bibcode:
- 1983ApJ...272..702S
- Keywords:
-
- Neutron Stars;
- Pulsars;
- Stellar Models;
- Equations Of State;
- Relativity;
- Roche Limit;
- Stellar Mass;
- Stellar Rotation;
- Astrophysics