SAX J1808.4-3657 in quiescence: A keystone for neutron star science

Open Access
Authors
Publication date 2008
Host editors
  • C. Bassa
  • Z. Wang
  • A. Cumming
  • V.M. Kaspi
Book title 40 Years of Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More
Book subtitle McGill University, Montréal, Canada, 12-17 August 2007
ISBN
  • 9780735405028
Series AIP Conference Proceedings
Event 40 Years of Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More, Montréal, Canada
Pages (from-to) 526-529
Publisher Melville, NY: American Institute of Physics
Organisations
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy (API)
Abstract The accreting millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658 may be a transition object between accreting X-ray binaries and millisecond radio pulsars. We have constrained the thermal radiation from its surface through XMM-Newton X-ray observations, providing strong evidence for neutrino cooling processes from the neutron star core. We have also undertaken simultaneous X-ray and optical (Gemini) observations, shedding light on whether the strong heating of the companion star in quiescence may be due to X-ray irradiation, or to a radio pulsar turning on when accretion stops.
Document type Conference contribution
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2900289
Downloads
301855.pdf (Accepted author manuscript)
Permalink to this page
Back