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Detection of X-ray emission from the PSR 1259-63/SS 2883 binary systemNonpulsed but variable X-ray emission has been detected from the binary system containing the radio pulsar PSR 1259-63 during two pointed ROSAT observations, taken 5 months apart. This 47.7 ms radio pulsar is in a highly eccentric (epsilon approximately 0.85) binary system with the 10-15 solar mass Be star SS 2883. It is the first radio pulsar found to be in a binary system with a massive main-sequence companion; it is also the most highly eccentric binary system known to contain a neutron star. The level of X-ray flux detected in the ROSAT observations has increased with orbital phase by a factor of at least 10 between 1992 February and 1993 February. The X-ray flux is significantly greater than expected from the Be star's corona and seems likely to originate either from low-level stellar wind accretion onto the neutron star or from the shock between the stellar wind and the relativistic pulsar wind. The system may be the progenitor of the more slowly rotating Be X-ray binary pulsar systems.
Document ID
19950040625
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Cominsky, Lynn
(Sonoma State Univ. Rohnert Park, CA, United States)
Roberts, Mallory
(Sonoma State Univ. Rohnert Park, CA, United States)
Johnston, Simon
(Univ. of Sydney Sydney, Australia)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 427
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
95A72224
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-1684
CONTRACT_GRANT: DE-ACO3-76SF00515
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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