A pulsar in a binary with a compact object in the mass gap between neutron stars and black holes.
Saved in:
| Title: | A pulsar in a binary with a compact object in the mass gap between neutron stars and black holes. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Barr, Ewan D., Dutta, Arunima, Freire, Paulo C. C., Cadelano, Mario, Gautam, Tasha, Kramer, Michael, Pallanca, Cristina, Ransom, Scott M., Ridolfi, Alessandro, Stappers, Benjamin W., Tauris, Thomas M., Krishnan, Vivek Venkatraman, Wex, Norbert, Bailes, Matthew, Behrend, Jan, Buchner, Sarah, Burgay, Marta, Weiwei Chen, Champion, David J., Chen, C.-H. Rosie |
| Source: | Science (pre-March 2025). 1/19/2024, Vol. 383 Issue 6680, p275-279. 5p. 3 Color Photographs, 2 Graphs. |
| Subjects: | New General Catalogue of Nebulae & Clusters of Stars, Black holes, Neutron stars, Binary pulsars, Globular clusters, Gravitational waves, Pulsars |
| Abstract: | Some compact objects observed in gravitational wave events have masses in the gap between known neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs). The nature of these mass gap objects is unknown, as is the formation of their host binary systems. We report pulsar timing observations made with the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) of PSR J0514−4002E, an eccentric binary millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster NGC 1851. We found a total binary mass of 3.887 ± 0.004 solar masses (M⊙), and multiwavelength observations show that the pulsar’s binary companion is also a compact object. The companion’s mass (2.09 to 2.71 M⊙, 95% confidence interval) is in the mass gap, indicating either a very massive NS or a low-mass BH. We propose that the companion formed in a merger between two earlier NSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Science (pre-March 2025) is the property of American Association for the Advancement of Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Some compact objects observed in gravitational wave events have masses in the gap between known neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs). The nature of these mass gap objects is unknown, as is the formation of their host binary systems. We report pulsar timing observations made with the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) of PSR J0514−4002E, an eccentric binary millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster NGC 1851. We found a total binary mass of 3.887 ± 0.004 solar masses (M⊙), and multiwavelength observations show that the pulsar’s binary companion is also a compact object. The companion’s mass (2.09 to 2.71 M⊙, 95% confidence interval) is in the mass gap, indicating either a very massive NS or a low-mass BH. We propose that the companion formed in a merger between two earlier NSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 00368075 |
| DOI: | 10.1126/science.adg3005 |
