The Maximum Mass of a Neutron Star
Abstract
Observational identification of black holes as members of binary systems requires the knowledge of the upper limit on the gravitational mass of a neutron star. We use modern equations of state for neutron star matter, fitted to experimental nucleon-nucleon scattering data and the properties of light nuclei, to calculate, within the framework of Rhoades & Ruffini (1974), the minimum upper limit on a neutron star mass. Regarding the equation of state as valid up to twice nuclear matter saturation density, rho nm, we obtain a secure upper bound on the neutron star mass equal to 2.9 Msolar. We also find that in order to reach the lowest possible upper bound of 2.2 Msolar, we need to understand the physical properties of neutron matter up to a density of ~4 rho nm.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1086/310296
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/9608059
- Bibcode:
- 1996ApJ...470L..61K
- Keywords:
-
- DENSE MATTER;
- STARS: NEUTRON;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 8 pages, 3 Postscript Figures, uses aaspp4.sty. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters