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Discovery of Eclipses from the Accreting Millisecond X-Ray Pulsar Swift J1749.4-2807We report the discovery of X-ray eclipses in the recently discovered accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar SWIFT J1749.4-2807. This is the first detection of X-ray eclipses in a system of this type and should enable a precise neutron star mass measurement once the companion star is identified and studied. We present a combined pulse and eclipse timing solution that enables tight constraints on the orbital parameters and inclination and shows that the companion mass is in the range 0.6-0.8 solar mass for a likely range of neutron star masses, and that it is larger than a main-sequence star of the same mass. We observed two individual eclipse egresses and a single ingress. Our timing model shows that the eclipse features are symmetric about the time of 90 longitude from the ascending node, as expected. Our eclipse timing solution gives an eclipse duration (from the mid-points of ingress to egress) of 2172+/-13 s. This represents 6.85% of the 8.82 hr orbital period. This system also presents a potential measurement of "Shapiro" delay due to general relativity; through this technique alone, we set an upper limit to the companion mass of 2.2 Solar mass .
Document ID
20110015316
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Markwardt, C. B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Stromhmayer, T. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
July 10, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical Journal - Letters
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Volume: 717
Issue: 2
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.4834.2011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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