1. A second companion of the millisecond pulsar 1620-26
- Author
-
Backer, D.C., Foster, R.S., and Sallmen, S.
- Subjects
Pulsars -- Research ,Stars -- Observations ,Environmental issues ,Science and technology ,Zoology and wildlife conservation - Abstract
Millisecond pulsar 1620-26, which is found in the globular cluster M4, is a binary system where an old neutron star spins at high velocity due to accumulation of matter by companion star. Timing measurements reveal the existence of a 0.3-solar-mass companion star, which is a white dwarf with orbital period of 191 days. The pulsar 1620-26 also has a large second derivative parameter in the rotation rate of the pulsar. The presence of this large derivative parameter indicates the presence of a third star in the hierarchical system which has an orbital period of 100 years.
- Published
- 1993