Magnetic field strength of a neutron-star-powered ultraluminous X-ray source
Abstract
The discovery that some ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are powered by accretion on to neutron stars has revolutionized the field of super-Eddington accretion. Given their observed luminosities, these neutron stars are exceeding their Eddington limits by factors of up to 500. Much debate has taken place regarding the strength of their magnetic fields, which may provide the answer as to how these compact objects can shine so brightly. We have recently discovered a cyclotron resonance scattering feature in the X-ray spectrum of a ULX. Not only does this identify the source as another neutron-star-powered ULX, but it offers us a direct measurement of the magnetic field strength of the neutron star. I will present the observational constraints on the feature and what interpretations can be drawn from it.
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E.433B