NGC 300 ULX1: A test case for accretion torque theory

Nov 28, 2018
10 pages
Published in:
  • Astron.Astrophys. 620 (2018) L12
  • Published: Dec 1, 2018
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Abstract: (EDP Sciences)
NGC 300 ULX1 is a newly identified ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar. The system is associated with the supernova impostor SN 2010da that was later classified as a possible supergiant Be X-ray binary. In this work we report on the spin period evolution of the neutron star based on all the currently available X-ray observations of the system. We argue that the X-ray luminosity of the system has remained almost constant since 2010, at a level above ten times the Eddington limit. Moreover, we find evidence that the spin period of the neutron star evolved from ∼126 s down to ∼18 s within a period of about 4 years. We explain this unprecedented spin evolution in terms of the standard accretion torque theory. An intriguing consequence for NGC 300 ULX1 is that a neutron star spin reversal should have occurred a few years after the SN 2010da event.Key words: X-rays: binaries / galaxies: individual: NGC 300 / stars: neutron / pulsars: individual: NGC 300 ULX1
Note:
  • 10 pages with appendix, 9 figures, accepted to A&A Letters
  • X-rays: binaries
  • galaxies: individual: NGC 300
  • stars: neutron
  • pulsars: individual: NGC 300 ULX1