Neutron Star and Black Hole Binaries in the Galaxy
Abstract
A statistical analysis of the number and birthrate of double neutron star (NS-NS) binaries is presented. It is estimated that there are approximately 10 exp 4.5 z0 such systems in the Galaxy, with a birthrate of approximately 10 exp -5 z0 per year, where z0 is their scale height. It is found that merges of NS-NS binaries through gravitational radiation losses should be occurring roughly once a year in galaxies within 200/h Mpc. It is suggested that progenitor stars more massive than about 50 solar masses form black holes. The number and formation rate of BH-NS binaries in the Galaxy are estimated to be comparable to the corresponding estimates of NS-NS binaries. It is predicted that a BH-NS binary is likely to be discovered in pulsar surveys.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1086/186143
- Bibcode:
- 1991ApJ...379L..17N
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Black Holes (Astronomy);
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Neutron Stars;
- Statistical Analysis;
- Massive Stars;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Stellar Gravitation;
- Astrophysics;
- BLACK HOLES;
- GAMMA RAYS: BURSTS;
- GRAVITATION;
- PULSARS;
- STARS: BINARIES;
- STARS: COLLAPSED