A new 60-msec X-ray pulsar and its massive Early-Type companion
Abstract
Einstein Observatory IPC and HRI observations of a serendipitous, variable, X-ray source in the galactic plane in Carina are presented. Timing analysis shows the source to have a periodicity P ≡ 60 msec. The optical identification with the 12.7 mag Wack 2134 star, suggested by the positional coincidence, is confirmed by spectroscopic observations. The star appears to be probably of O5 type. The X-ray and optical data suggest the discovery of a new binary system where a hot massive star loses mass to a spinning neutron star, which would then be the fastest X-ray binary pulsar to date.
- Publication:
-
Timing Neutron Stars
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1007/978-94-009-2273-0_19
- Bibcode:
- 1989ASIC..262..243C
- Keywords:
-
- X-Ray Pulsars: Periods;
- X-Ray Pulsars: Spectroscopy;
- X-Ray Pulsars: Mass Loss;
- X-Ray Binaries: Periods