Fate of matter and angular momentum in disk accretion onto a magnetized neutron star

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/155823· OSTI ID:5203762

Scharlemann, E T

Observed values for the average rate of decrease of the rotational period for seven binary X-ray sources are used to establish limits on the outer radius R/sub m/ of the magnetospheres of the neutron stars. In all cases this radius is found to be significantly less than the ''corotation radius,'' where the Keplerian orbital angular velocity matches the stellar angular velocity. A simple but plausible model for the shape and location of R/sub m/ in disk accretion is developed to follow the matter from the disk onto the star; this model permits an estimate of the magnetic dipole moments and radiating areas of the individual neutron stars.

• Research Organization: Astronomy Department, University of California, Berkeley
• OSTI ID: 5203762
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 219:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640103 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ATMOSPHERES
BINARY STARS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
DIPOLE MOMENTS
FLUID MECHANICS
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC DIPOLE MOMENTS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MAGNETIC STARS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MOTION
NEUTRON STARS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
ROTATION
SIZE
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
STELLAR WINDS