Neutron Star Kicks plus Rockets as a Mechanism for Forming Wide Low-eccentricity Neutron Star Binaries
Recent neutron star surface observations corroborate a long-standing theory that neutron stars may be accelerated over extended periods after their birth. We analyze how these prolonged rocket-like accelerations, combined with rapid birth kicks, impact binary orbits. We find that even a small contri...
| Hoofdauteurs: | , , , |
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| Formaat: | Artikel |
| Taal: | English |
| Gepubliceerd in: |
IOP Publishing
2024-01-01
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| Reeks: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| Onderwerpen: | |
| Online toegang: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ad6e77 |
| Samenvatting: | Recent neutron star surface observations corroborate a long-standing theory that neutron stars may be accelerated over extended periods after their birth. We analyze how these prolonged rocket-like accelerations, combined with rapid birth kicks, impact binary orbits. We find that even a small contribution of rocket kicks combined with instantaneous natal kicks can allow binaries to reach period–eccentricity combinations unattainable in standard binary evolution models. We propose these kick + rocket combinations as a new channel to form wide low-eccentricity neutron star binaries such as Gaia NS1, as well as inducing stellar mergers months to years after a supernova to cause peculiar high-energy transients. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-8205 |