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Anomalous Pulsar In Binary System Stymies Theorists

Posted by kdawson on from the dizzy-making dept.

Science Daily has word of a millisecond pulsar in the wrong kind of binary system that has astronomers scratching their heads. According to current models of pulsar evolution, such a system should have no way to develop. The pulsar J1903+0327, which rotates 465 times per second, seems to be in a highly elongated orbit around a Sun-like star. Quoting: "Astronomers think most millisecond pulsars are sped up by material falling onto them from a companion star. This requires the pulsar to be in a tight orbit around its companion that becomes more and more circular with time. The orbits of some millisecond pulsars are the most perfect circles in the Universe, so the elongated orbit of the new pulsar is a mystery."

3 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. It's a signal from the Cheela by argent · · Score: 2, Interesting

    See what happens when real physicists write SF!

  2. More than meets the eye? by ee_smajors · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Perhaps the pulsar is closely paired with another small star and the pair has just be captured by a larger star. Wonders never cease!

  3. Re:A simple answer by SatanicPuppy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm trying to figure out what other energy would apply. It's more just an honest question (my physics is obviously more of the terrestrial sort). Would something have to shed mass or slam into an orbiting body or something similar, in order to be bound?

    --
    ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.