Pulsar Timing Analysis Reveals System Mass of 2.814 Solar Masses in arxiv.org Report
Astronomers studying a binary millisecond pulsar system have measured a total system mass of 2.814 solar masses, according to data published on arxiv.org. The findings provide precise orbital parameters for the stellar remnant system, derived from 342 times of arrival collected over a span covering MJD 59902 to 60804.
Orbital Parameters and Companion Characteristics
The system operates with an orbital period of 79.084 days and a high orbital eccentricity of 0.99238692, arxiv.org reported. Researchers determined the pulsar mass at approximately 1.38 solar masses, while the companion mass stands at 1.44 solar masses. The projected semi-major axis measures 125.539 light-seconds, with a longitude of periastron at 44.018 degrees.
Timing models place the system’s spin frequency at 21.036 Hz with a spin period of 0.0475 seconds. The dispersion measure distance is calculated at 0.2 kiloparsecs using the NE2001 model, and 1.3 kiloparsecs using the YMW16 model. Additional parameters include a surface magnetic field of $2.4 \times 10^9$ Gauss and a characteristic age of 6.6 gigayears.
What data and masses define the pulsar system?
What data was used to determine the pulsar system mass?
Researchers analyzed 342 times of arrival gathered across a Modified Julian Date range from 59902 to 60804, using TCB units and the DE440 Solar System ephemeris.
What are the individual masses of the pulsar and its companion?
arxiv.org reported the pulsar mass at 1.38 solar masses and the companion mass at 1.44 solar masses, resulting in a combined system mass of 2.814 solar masses.
What is the orbital geometry of the binary system?
The system features an extreme orbital eccentricity of 0.99238692 and an orbital period lasting 79.084 days, with a periastron advance rate of 0.017791 degrees per year.
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