Implications of the millisecond pulsar for neutron star models

Journal Article · Thu Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/161332· OSTI ID:5474909

Shapiro, S L; Teukolsky, S A; Wasserman, I

We examine the constraints imposed by the high spin rate of PSR 1937+214 on the masses and radii of nonrotating neutron stars that can be spun up to such a short period. Assuming uniform rotation, we find that none of the current viable nuclear equations of state can be ruled out. However, the discovery of a single pulsar with period < or approx. =0.5 ms would rule out all current equations of state. Assuming that PSR 1937+214 was spun up uniformly from a nonrotating progenitor requires that the maximum mass of a nonrotating star in general relativity cannot exceed 12.5 M/sub sun/, independent of any knowledge of the equation of state. This limit decreases linearly with the shortest known period of a pulsar.

• Research Organization: Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University
• OSTI ID: 5474909
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 272:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
&amp; X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF STATE
FIELD THEORIES
GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOTION
NEUTRON STARS
PLASMA
PULSARS
ROTATION
STABILITY
STAR MODELS
STARS