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HST Observations of PSR J2051–0827: Asymmetry, Variability and Modelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

B. W. Stappers
Affiliation:
University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, NL
M. van Kerkwijk
Affiliation:
University of Utrecht, P.O. Box 80000, 3508 TA Utrecht, NL
J. F. Bell
Affiliation:
ATNF, CSIRO, P.O. Box 76, Epping, NSW 1710, Australia

Abstract

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Using the Hubble Space Telescope we have successfully detected the ”dark” side of the optical companion to the eclipsing millisecond pulsar J2051–0827. These data were obtained over a number of system orbits and clearly show that there is variability in the optical flux, particularly at orbital phases after maximum light. Comparison with phases before maximum light suggests this variation is due to an additional component. The data are modelled by a gravitationally-distorted low-mass secondary star which is irradiated by the impinging pulsar wind. The quality of the model fits are however limited by the variability.

Type
Part 9. Population and Neutron Star Properties
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2000

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