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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the merging cluster of galaxies PLCK G036.7+14.9

We present Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of PLCK G036.7+14.9 from the Chandra–Planck Legacy Program. The high resolution X-ray observations reveal two close (∼72″ = 193 kpc in projection) subclusters, G036N and G036S, which were not resolved by previous ROSAT, optical, or recent Planck observations. We perform detailed imaging and spectral analyses and use a simplified model to study the kinematics of this system. The basic picture is that PLCK G036.7+14.9 is undergoing a major merger (mass ratio close to unity) between the two massive subclusters, with the merger largely along the line of sight (∼80° between the merger axis and the plane of the sky from the simplified model) and probably at an early stage (less than ∼0.4–0.7 Gyr since the merger began). G036N hosts a small (∼27 kpc), moderate cool core (cooling time t{sub cool}∼2.6–4.7 Gyr), while G036S has at most a very weak cool core (t{sub cool}∼5.7–10.3 Gyr) in the central ∼40 kpc region. The difference in core cooling times is unlikely to be caused by the ongoing merger disrupting a pre-existing cool core in G036S. G036N also hosts an unresolved radio source in the center, which may be heating the gas if the radio source is extended. The total mass of the whole cluster determined from XMM-Newton is ∼(5.9−8.0)×10{sup 14} M{sub ⊙}, and is ∼(6.7−9.9)×10{sup 14} M{sub ⊙} from Chandra. The Planck derived mass, ∼(5.1−6.0)×10{sup 14} M{sub ⊙}, is higher than the X-ray measured mass of either subcluster, but is lower than the X-ray measured mass of the whole cluster, due to the fact that Planck does not resolve PLCK G036.7+14.9 into subclusters and interprets it as a single cluster. This mass discrepancy could induce significant bias to the mass function if such previously unresolved systems are common in the Planck cluster sample. High resolution X-ray observations are necessary to identify the fraction of such systems and correct such a bias for the purpose of precision cosmological studies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evidence for a massive, extended circumgalactic medium around the Andromeda Galaxy

We demonstrate the presence of an extended and massive circumgalactic medium (CGM) around Messier 31 using archival HST Cosmic Origins Spectrograph ultraviolet spectroscopy of 18 QSOs projected within two virial radii of M31 (R{sub vir}=300 kpc). We detect absorption from Si iii at −300≲v{sub LSR}≲−150 km s{sup −1} toward all three sightlines at R≲0.2R{sub vir}, 3 of 4 sightlines at 0.8≲R/R{sub vir}≲1.1, and possibly 1 of 11 at 1.1<R/R{sub vir}≲1.8. We present several arguments that the gas at these velocities observed in these directions originates from the M31 CGM rather than the Local Group or Milky Way CGM or Magellanic Stream. We show that the dwarf galaxies located in the CGM of M31 have very similar velocities over similar projected distances from M31. We find a non-trivial relationship only at these velocities between the column densities (N) of all the ions and R, whereby N decreases with increasing R. At R<0.8R{sub vir}, the covering fraction is close to unity for Si iii and C iv (f{sub c}∼60%–97% at the 90% confidence level), but drops to f{sub c}≲10%–20% at R≳R{sub vir}. We show that the M31 CGM gas is bound, multiphase, predominantly ionized, and is more highly ionized gas at larger R. We estimate using Si ii, Si iii, and Si iv, a CGM metal mass of ≳2×10{sup 6} M{sub ⊙} and gas mass of ≳3×10{sup 9}(Z{sub ⊙}/Z) M{sub ⊙} within 0.2R{sub vir}, and possibly a factor of ∼10 larger within R{sub vir}, implying substantial metal and gas masses in the CGM of M31.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

THE COSMIC BATTERY IN ASTROPHYSICAL ACCRETION DISKS

The aberrated radiation pressure at the inner edge of the accretion disk around an astrophysical black hole imparts a relative azimuthal velocity on the electrons with respect to the ions which gives rise to a ring electric current that generates large-scale poloidal magnetic field loops. This is the Cosmic Battery established by Contopoulos and Kazanas in 1998. In the present work we perform realistic numerical simulations of this important astrophysical mechanism in advection-dominated accretion flows, ADAFs. We confirm the original prediction that the inner parts of the loops are continuously advected toward the central black hole and contribute to the growth of the large-scale magnetic field, whereas the outer parts of the loops are continuously diffusing outward through the turbulent accretion flow. This process of inward advection of the axial field and outward diffusion of the return field proceeds all the way to equipartition, thus generating astrophysically significant magnetic fields on astrophysically relevant timescales. We confirm that there exists a critical value of the magnetic Prandtl number between unity and 10 in the outer disk above which the Cosmic Battery mechanism is suppressed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

BIPOLAR MAGNETIC SPOTS FROM DYNAMOS IN STRATIFIED SPHERICAL SHELL TURBULENCE

Recent work by Mitra et al. (2014) has shown that in strongly stratified forced two-layer turbulence with helicity and corresponding large-scale dynamo action in the lower layer, and nonhelical turbulence in the upper, a magnetic field occurs in the upper layer in the form of sharply bounded bipolar magnetic spots. Here we extend this model to spherical wedge geometry covering the northern hemisphere up to 75° latitude and an azimuthal extent of 180°. The kinetic helicity and therefore also the large-scale magnetic field are strongest at low latitudes. For moderately strong stratification, several bipolar spots form that eventually fill the full longitudinal extent. At early times, the polarity of spots reflects the orientation of the underlying azimuthal field, as expected from Parker’s Ω-shaped flux loops. At late times their tilt changes such that there is a radial field of opposite orientation at different latitudes separated by about 10°. Our model demonstrates the spontaneous formation of spots of sizes much larger than the pressure scale height. Their tendency to produce filling factors close to unity is argued to be reminiscent of highly active stars. We confirm that strong stratification and strong scale separation are essential ingredients behind magnetic spot formation, which appears to be associated with downflows at larger depths.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The NH{sub 3} hyperfine intensity anomaly in high-mass star-forming regions

Anomalous ammonia (NH{sub 3}) spectra, exhibiting asymmetric hyperfine satellite intensity profiles in the (J,K) = (1, 1) inversion transition, have been observed in star-forming regions for over 35 years. We present a systematic study of this “hyperfine intensity anomaly” (HIA) toward a sample of 334 high-mass star forming regions: 310 high-mass (≳100 M{sub ⊙}) clumps and 24 infrared dark clouds. The HIA is ubiquitous in high-mass star forming regions. Although LTE excitation predicts that the intensity ratios of the outer satellites and inner satellites are exactly unity, for this sample the ensemble average ratios are 0.812 ± 0.004 and 1.125 ± 0.005, respectively. We have quantified the HIA and find no significant relationships between the HIA and temperature, line width, optical depth, and the stage of stellar evolution. The fact that HIAs are common in high-mass star-forming regions suggests that the conditions that lead to HIAs are ubiquitous in these regions. A possible link between HIAs and the predictions of the competitive accretion model of high-mass star formation is suggested; however, the expected trends of HIA strength with clump evolutionary stage, rotational temperature, and line width for evolving cores in competitive accretion models are not found. Thus, the exact gas structures that produce HIAs remain unknown. Turbulent gas structures are a possible explanation, but the details need to be explored.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evolution of a binary black hole with a retrograde circumbinary accretion disk

We consider the evolution of a supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) surrounded by a retrograde accretion disk. Assuming the disk is exactly in the binary plane and transfers energy and angular momentum to the binary via direct gas accretion, we calculate the time evolution of the binaryʼs semimajor axis a and eccentricity e. Because the gas is predominantly transferred when the binary is at apocenter, we find the eccentricity grows rapidly while maintaining constant a(1+e). After accreting only a fraction of the secondaryʼs mass, the eccentricity grows to nearly unity; from then on, gravitational wave (GW) emission dominates the evolution, preserving constant a(1−e). The high-eccentricity waveforms redistribute the peak GW power from the nHz to μHz bands, substantially affecting the signal that might be detected with pulsar timing arrays. We also estimate the torque coupling binaries of arbitrary eccentricity with obliquely aligned circumbinary disks. If the outer edge of the disk is not an extremely large multiple of the binary separation, retrograde accretion can drive the binary into the GW-dominated state before these torques align the binary with the angular momentum of the mass supply.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

DUST COOLING IN SUPERNOVA REMNANTS IN THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD

The infrared-to-X-ray (IRX) flux ratio traces the relative importance of dust cooling to gas cooling in astrophysical plasma such as supernova remnants (SNRs). We derive IRX ratios of SNRs in the LMC using Spitzer and Chandra SNR survey data and compare them with those of Galactic SNRs. IRX ratios of all the SNRs in the sample are found to be moderately greater than unity, indicating that dust grains are a more efficient coolant than gas although gas cooling may not be negligible. The IRX ratios of the LMC SNRs are systematically lower than those of the Galactic SNRs. As both dust cooling and gas cooling pertain to the properties of the interstellar medium, the lower IRX ratios of the LMC SNRs may reflect the characteristics of the LMC, and the lower dust-to-gas ratio (a quarter of the Galactic value) is likely to be the most significant factor. The observed IRX ratios are compared with theoretical predictions that yield IRX ratios an order of magnitude larger. This discrepancy may originate from the dearth of dust in the remnants due to either the local variation of the dust abundance in the preshock medium with respect to the canonical abundance or the dust destruction in the postshock medium. The non-equilibrium ionization cooling of hot gas, in particular for young SNRs, may also cause the discrepancy. Finally, we discuss implications for the dominant cooling mechanism of SNRs in low-metallicity galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

TRACING THE MAGNETIC FIELD MORPHOLOGY OF THE LUPUS I MOLECULAR CLOUD

Deep R-band CCD linear polarimetry collected for fields with lines of sight toward the Lupus I molecular cloud is used to investigate the properties of the magnetic field within this molecular cloud. The observed sample contains about 7000 stars, almost 2000 of them with a polarization signal-to-noise ratio larger than 5. These data cover almost the entire main molecular cloud and also sample two diffuse infrared patches in the neighborhood of Lupus I. The large-scale pattern of the plane-of-sky projection of the magnetic field is perpendicular to the main axis of Lupus I, but parallel to the two diffuse infrared patches. A detailed analysis of our polarization data combined with the Herschel/SPIRE 350 μm dust emission map shows that the principal filament of Lupus I is constituted by three main clumps that are acted on by magnetic fields that have different large-scale structural properties. These differences may be the reason for the observed distribution of pre- and protostellar objects along the molecular cloud and the cloud’s apparent evolutionary stage. On the other hand, assuming that the magnetic field is composed of large-scale and turbulent components, we find that the latter is rather similar in all three clumps. The estimated plane-of-sky component of the large-scale magnetic field ranges from about 70 to 200 μG in these clumps. The intensity increases toward the Galactic plane. The mass-to-magnetic flux ratio is much smaller than unity, implying that Lupus I is magnetically supported on large scales.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

SCATTTERING OF HIGH-ENERGY PARTICLES AT A COLLISIONLESS SHOCK FRONT: DEPENDENCE ON THE SHOCK ANGLE

Many shock acceleration theories deal with gyrophase-averaged particle distributions that depend only on the energy and pitch angle of the particles. Diffusive shock acceleration includes shock crossing as a necessary component. As long as the shock width is much smaller than the mean free path of a particle, the crossing is governed by the macroscopic fields inside the transition layer. The dynamics of high-energy particles in these fields is non-adiabatic and gyrophase dependent. The magnetic moment is not conserved in a wide range of shock angles, nor is the condition of reflection determined by the magnetic bottle relation. Instead, for a pitch angle and unknown gyrophase of an incident particle there is a finite probability of reflection. This probability varies between zero and unity in a wide range of pitch angles. In this work we investigate how the matching conditions at the shock front could be modified with the gyrophase dependence taken into account, e.g., in the form of the scattering probabilities.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Lyα EMISSION FROM GREEN PEAS: THE ROLE OF CIRCUMGALACTIC GAS DENSITY, COVERING, AND KINEMATICS

We report Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph observations of the Lyα emission and interstellar absorption lines in a sample of 10 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 0.2. Selected on the basis of high equivalent width optical emission lines, the sample, dubbed “Green Peas,” make some of the best analogs for young galaxies in an early universe. We detect Lyα emission in all ten galaxies, and 9/10 show double-peaked line profiles suggestive of low H i column density. We measure Lyα/Hα flux ratios of 0.5–5.6, implying that 5%–60% of Lyα photons escape the galaxies. These data confirm previous findings that low-ionization metal absorption (LIS) lines are weaker when Lyα escape fraction and equivalent width are higher. However, contrary to previously favored interpretations of this trend, increased Lyα output cannot be the result of a varying H i covering: the Lyman absorption lines (Lyβ and higher) show a covering fraction near unity for gas with N{sub H} {sub i} ≳ 10{sup 16} cm{sup −2}. Moreover, we detect no correlation between Lyα escape and the outflow velocity of the LIS lines, suggesting that kinematic effects do not explain the range of Lyα/Hα flux ratios in these galaxies. In contrast, we detect a strong anticorrelation between the Lyα escape fraction and the velocity separation of the Lyα emission peaks, driven primarily by the velocity of the blue peak. As this velocity separation is sensitive to H i column density, we conclude that Lyα escape in these Green Peas is likely regulated by the H i column density rather than outflow velocity or H i covering fraction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

RAPID COSMIC-RAY ACCELERATION AT PERPENDICULAR SHOCKS IN SUPERNOVA REMNANTS

Perpendicular shocks are shown to be rapid particle accelerators that perform optimally when the ratio u{sub s} of the shock speed to the particle speed roughly equals the ratio 1/η of the scattering rate to the gyro frequency. We use analytical methods and Monte-Carlo simulations to solve the kinetic equation that governs the anisotropy generated at these shocks, and find, for ηu{sub s} ≈ 1, that the spectral index softens by unity and the acceleration time increases by a factor of two compared to the standard result of the diffusive shock acceleration theory. These results provide a theoretical basis for the 30 year old conjecture that a supernova exploding into the wind of a Wolf–Rayet star may accelerate protons to an energy exceeding 10{sup 15} eV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Diffusive cosmic-ray acceleration at relativistic shock waves with magnetostatic turbulence

The analytical theory of diffusive cosmic-ray acceleration at parallel stationary shock waves with magnetostatic turbulence is generalized to arbitrary shock speeds V{sub s}=β{sub 1}c, including, in particular, relativistic speeds. This is achieved by applying the diffusion approximation to the relevant Fokker–Planck particle transport equation formulated in the mixed comoving coordinate system. In this coordinate system, the particle's momentum coordinates p and μ=p{sub ∥}/p are taken in the rest frame of the streaming plasma, whereas the time and space coordinates are taken in the observer's system. For magnetostatic slab turbulence, the diffusion–convection transport equation for the isotropic (in the rest frame of the streaming plasma) part of the particle's phase space density is derived. For a step-wise shock velocity profile, the steady-state diffusion–convection transport equation is solved. For a symmetric pitch-angle scattering Fokker–Planck coefficient, D{sub μμ}(−μ)=D{sub μμ}(μ), the steady-state solution is independent of the microphysical scattering details. For nonrelativistic mono-momentum particle injection at the shock, the differential number density of accelerated particles is a Lorentzian-type distribution function, which at large momenta approaches a power-law distribution function N(p⩾p{sub c})∝p{sup −ξ} with the spectral index ξ(β{sub 1})=1+[3/(Γ{sub 1}√(r{sup 2}−β{sub 1}{sup 2})−1)(1+3β{sub 1}{sup 2})]. For nonrelativistic (β{sub 1}≪1) shock speeds, this spectral index agrees with the known result ξ(β{sub 1}≪1)≃(r+2)/(r−1), whereas for ultrarelativistic (Γ{sub 1}≫1) shock speeds the spectral index value is close to unity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

High-resolution imaging of PHIBSS z ∼ 2 main-sequence galaxies in CO J = 1 → 0

We present Karl Jansky Very Large Array observations of the CO J=1−0 transition in a sample of four z∼2 main-sequence galaxies. These galaxies are in the blue sequence of star-forming galaxies at their redshift, and are part of the IRAM Plateau de Bure HIgh-z Blue Sequence Survey which imaged them in CO J=3−2. Two galaxies are imaged here at high signal-to-noise, allowing determinations of their disk sizes, line profiles, molecular surface densities, and excitation. Using these and published measurements, we show that the CO and optical disks have similar sizes in main-sequence galaxies, and in the galaxy where we can compare CO J=1−0 and J=3−2 sizes we find these are also very similar. Assuming a Galactic CO-to-H{sub 2} conversion, we measure surface densities of Σ{sub mol}∼1200 M{sub ⊙} pc{sup −2} in projection and estimate Σ{sub mol}∼ 500–900 M{sub ⊙} pc{sup −2} deprojected. Finally, our data yields velocity-integrated Rayleigh–Jeans brightness temperature line ratios r{sub 31} that are approximately at unity. In addition to the similar disk sizes, the very similar line profiles in J=1−0 and J=3−2 indicate that both transitions sample the same kinematics, implying that their emission is coextensive. We conclude that in these two main-sequence galaxies there is no evidence for significant excitation gradients or a large molecular reservoir that is diffuse or cold and not involved in active star formation. We suggest that r{sub 31} in very actively star-forming galaxies is likely an indicator of how well-mixed the star formation activity and the molecular reservoir are.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

A dynamically driven, universal thermal profile of galaxy groups and clusters

Large scale structures such as groups and clusters of galaxies show a universal, nearly linear entropy radial profile K(r). Using deprojected 16 clusters and 12 groups from the literature, we find that K∝r{sup 0.96±0.01}, consistent with the mean power-law index (0.9–1.1) of previous studies. A similarly good fit is given by a τ∝r{sup 0.72±0.01} ratio between cooling and free-fall times. Both profiles slightly flatten at small radii, as τ becomes of order unity. The entropy profile is usually attributed to self-similar shock accretion (shown to be inconsistent with the data), to non-standard heat conduction, or to turbulent heating. We argue that a dynamical mechanism is needed to sustain such a universal profile, oblivious to the temperature peak at the edge of the core and to the virial shock at the outskirts, and robust to the presence of ongoing cooling, merger, and active galactic nucleus activity. In particular, we show that such a profile can be naturally obtained in a spiral flow, which is likely to underlie most galaxy aggregates according to the ubiquitous spiral patterns and cold fronts observed. Generalizing a two-phase spiral flow model out to the virial radius surprisingly reproduces the thermal profile. A generalized Schwarzschild criterion indicates that observed spiral patterns must involve a convective layer, which may regulate the thermal profile.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

FIRE HOSE INSTABILITY DRIVEN BY ALPHA PARTICLE TEMPERATURE ANISOTROPY

We investigate properties of a solar wind-like plasma, including a secondary alpha particle population exhibiting a parallel temperature anisotropy with respect to the background magnetic field, using linear and quasi-linear predictions and by means of one-dimensional hybrid simulations. We show that anisotropic alpha particles can drive a parallel fire hose instability analogous to that generated by protons, but that, remarkably, can also be triggered when the parallel plasma beta of alpha particles is below unity. The wave activity generated by the alpha anisotropy affects the evolution of the more abundant protons, leading to their anisotropic heating. When both ion species have sufficient parallel anisotropies, both of them can drive the instability, and we observe the generation of two distinct peaks in the spectra of the fluctuations, with longer wavelengths associated to alphas and shorter ones to protons. If a non-zero relative drift is present, the unstable modes propagate preferentially in the direction of the drift associated with the unstable species. The generated waves scatter particles and reduce their temperature anisotropy to a marginally stable state, and, moreover, they significantly reduce the relative drift between the two ion populations. The coexistence of modes excited by both species leads to saturation of the plasma in distinct regions of the beta/anisotropy parameter space for protons and alpha particles, in good agreement with in situ solar wind observations. Our results confirm that fire hose instabilities are likely at work in the solar wind and limit the anisotropy of different ion species in the plasma.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

ON THE EVOLUTION OF MAGNETIC WHITE DWARFS

We present the first radiation magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the atmosphere of white dwarf stars. We demonstrate that convective energy transfer is seriously impeded by magnetic fields when the plasma-β parameter, the thermal-to-magnetic-pressure ratio, becomes smaller than unity. The critical field strength that inhibits convection in the photosphere of white dwarfs is in the range B = 1–50 kG, which is much smaller than the typical 1–1000 MG field strengths observed in magnetic white dwarfs, implying that these objects have radiative atmospheres. We have employed evolutionary models to study the cooling process of high-field magnetic white dwarfs, where convection is entirely suppressed during the full evolution (B ≳ 10 MG). We find that the inhibition of convection has no effect on cooling rates until the effective temperature (T{sub eff}) reaches a value of around 5500 K. In this regime, the standard convective sequences start to deviate from the ones without convection due to the convective coupling between the outer layers and the degenerate reservoir of thermal energy. Since no magnetic white dwarfs are currently known at the low temperatures where this coupling significantly changes the evolution, the effects of magnetism on cooling rates are not expected to be observed. This result contrasts with a recent suggestion that magnetic white dwarfs with T{sub eff} ≲ 10,000 K cool significantly slower than non-magnetic degenerates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

ADIABATIC MASS LOSS IN BINARY STARS. II. FROM ZERO-AGE MAIN SEQUENCE TO THE BASE OF THE GIANT BRANCH

In the limit of extremely rapid mass transfer, the response of a donor star in an interacting binary becomes asymptotically one of adiabatic expansion. We survey here adiabatic mass loss from Population I stars (Z = 0.02) of mass 0.10 M{sub ⊙}–100 M{sub ⊙} from the zero-age main sequence to the base of the giant branch, or to central hydrogen exhaustion for lower main sequence stars. The logarithmic derivatives of radius with respect to mass along adiabatic mass-loss sequences translate into critical mass ratios for runaway (dynamical timescale) mass transfer, evaluated here under the assumption of conservative mass transfer. For intermediate- and high-mass stars, dynamical mass transfer is preceded by an extended phase of thermal timescale mass transfer as the star is stripped of most of its envelope mass. The critical mass ratio q{sub ad} (throughout this paper, we follow the convention of defining the binary mass ratio as q ≡ M{sub donor}/M{sub accretor}) above which this delayed dynamical instability occurs increases with advancing evolutionary age of the donor star, by ever-increasing factors for more massive donors. Most intermediate- or high-mass binaries with nondegenerate accretors probably evolve into contact before manifesting this instability. As they approach the base of the giant branch, however, and begin developing a convective envelope, q{sub ad} plummets dramatically among intermediate-mass stars, to values of order unity, and a prompt dynamical instability occurs. Among low-mass stars, the prompt instability prevails throughout main sequence evolution, with q{sub ad} declining with decreasing mass, and asymptotically approaching q{sub ad} = 2/3, appropriate to a classical isentropic n = 3/2 polytrope. Our calculated q{sub ad} values agree well with the behavior of time-dependent models by Chen and Han of intermediate-mass stars initiating mass transfer in the Hertzsprung gap. Application of our results to cataclysmic variables, as systems that must be stable against rapid mass transfer, nicely circumscribes the range in q{sub ad} as a function of the orbital period in which they are found. These results are intended to advance the verisimilitude of population synthesis models of close binary evolution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Pulsar J0453+1559: A double neutron star system with a large mass asymmetry

To understand the nature of supernovae and neutron star (NS) formation, as well as binary stellar evolution and their interactions, it is important to probe the distribution of NS masses. Until now, all double NS (DNS) systems have been measured as having a mass ratio close to unity (q ≥ 0.91). Here, we report the measurement of the individual masses of the 4.07-day binary pulsar J0453+1559 from measurements of the rate of advance of periastron and Shapiro delay: the mass of the pulsar is M{sub p} = 1.559 ± 0.005 M{sub ⊙} and that of its companion is M{sub c}=1.174±0.004 M{sub ⊙}; q = 0.75. If this companion is also an NS, as indicated by the orbital eccentricity of the system (e = 0.11), then its mass is the smallest precisely measured for any such object. The pulsar has a spin period of 45.7 ms and a spin period derivative of P-dot = (1.8616±0.0007)×10{sup −19} s s{sup −1}; from these, we derive a characteristic age of ∼ 4.1×10{sup 9} years and a magnetic field of ∼ 2.9×10{sup 9} G, i.e., this pulsar was mildly recycled by the accretion of matter from the progenitor of the companion star. This suggests that it was formed with (very approximately) its current mass. Thus, NSs form with a wide range of masses, which is important for understanding their formation in supernovae. It is also important for the search for gravitational waves released during an NS–NS merger: it is now evident that we should not assume that all DNS systems are symmetric.

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