Massive pulsar in a dual system PSR J2215 + 5135 heats the inner surface of its neighbor
Using the innovative method, scientists were able to find a neutron star with a mass of 2.3 solar. This is one of the most massive copies among those found. Neutron stars (often referred to as pulsars) are stellar remnants that have reached the final of their evolution. After the death of a star with a massiveness of 10-30 solar. Despite the small parameters (about 20 km in diameter), they exceed the mass of the Sun, therefore, have a high level of density.
The researchers decided to use an innovative method to measure the mass of one of the heaviest neutron stars. PSR J2215 + 5135 found in 2011 with 2.3 solar masses. Listed on the leaderboard among the 2000 found objects. Previously reported that they were able to find a neutron star with a mass of 2.4 solar, but in 2010 and 2013. a dispute broke out among scientists. Therefore, while this mark is not confirmed.
Using the innovative method, scientists were able to measure the speed of both sides of a neighbor
Innovative Measurement Method
The team created a more accurate method than the previous ones to measure the mass of neutron stars in binary systems. PSR J2215 + 5135 is part of a binary system where two stars rotate around a common center of mass. A neighbor receives a huge dose of radiation from a neutron star. The more massive the neutron star, the faster the neighbor moves in its orbit. The new method used the spectral lines of hydrogen and magnesium to calculate the speed of movement of the neighboring star. This made it possible for the first time to determine the speed indicator of both sides of a star-satellite and to show that a neutron star is capable of doubling the solar mass.
The new method can also be applied to other objects. Over the past 10 years, the Fermi telescope has managed to find dozens of pulsars resembling PSR J2215 + 5135. The method can also be used to determine the mass of black holes and white dwarfs.
denser than atomic nucleus
The ability to calculate the maximum mass of a neutron star has important consequences for many areas of astrophysics, as well as for nuclear physics. Contact between nucleons at high densities is one of the greatest modern secrets of physics. Neutron stars represent a natural laboratory for the study of the most dense and exotic states of matter.
