A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Discovery of a retrogradely rotating neutron star in the X-ray pulsar GX 301-2




AuthorsJuhani Mönkkönen, Victor Doroshenko, Sergey S Tsygankov, Armin Nabizadeh, Pavel Abolmasov, Juri Poutanen

PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS

Publication year2020

JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Journal name in sourceMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Journal acronymMON NOT R ASTRON SOC

Volume494

Issue2

First page 2178

Last page2182

Number of pages5

ISSN0035-8711

eISSN1365-2966

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa906

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/48444665


Abstract
We report on the analysis of the spin evolution of a slow X-ray pulsar GX 301-2 along the orbit using long-term monitoring by Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor. Based on the observationally confirmed accretion scenario and an analytical model for the accretion of angular momentum, we demonstrate that in this system, the neutron star spins retrogradely, that is, in a direction opposite to the orbital motion. This first-of-a-kind discovery of such a system proves the principal possibility of retrograde rotation in accreting systems with suitable accretion torque, and might have profound consequences for our understanding of the spin evolution of X-ray pulsars, estimates of their initial spin periods, and the ultimate result of their evolution.

Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 20:40