Long-term evolution of the fastest accreting millisecond pulsar IGR J00291+5934
Abstract
We propose a 70 ks XMM-Newton observation of the fastest accreting millisecond pulsar discovered so far, IGR J00291+5934, to be triggered during its next outburst. A measure of its spin and orbital parameters will put firm constraints on its long-term evolution and on the mechanisms (magneto-dipole emission, gravitational radiation) proposed to explain it. The reason underlying the lack of neutron stars observed to spin at frequencies close the centrifugal break-up frequency (∼1.5 kHz) will be then investigated on an observational basis. The observation will also give accurate ephemeris of the pulsar, to allow a meaningful search for a gamma-ray counterpart. This is a re-submission of a proposal approved for the XMM AO11, and which was not yet triggered.
- Publication:
-
XMM-Newton Proposal
- Pub Date:
- October 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012xmm..prop..132P
- Keywords:
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- White Dwarf Binaries;
- Neutron Star Binaries;
- Cataclysmic Variables;
- ULXs;
- Black Holes;
- IGR J00291+5934