Radio emission from the X-ray pulsar Her X-1: a jet launched by a strong magnetic field neutron star?
Her X-1 is an accreting neutron star (NS) in an intermediate-mass X-ray binary. Like lowmass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), it accretes via Roche lobe overflow, but similar to many high-mass X-ray binaries containing a NS; Her X-1 has a strong magnetic field and slow spin. Here, we present the discovery...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
2018
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| Online Access: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT140101082 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69949 |
| Summary: | Her X-1 is an accreting neutron star (NS) in an intermediate-mass X-ray binary. Like lowmass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), it accretes via Roche lobe overflow, but similar to many
high-mass X-ray binaries containing a NS; Her X-1 has a strong magnetic field and slow spin.
Here, we present the discovery of radio emission from Her X-1 with the Very Large Array.
During the radio observation, the central X-ray source was partially obscured by a warped
disc. We measure a radio flux density of 38.7 ± 4.8 µJy at 9 GHz but cannot constrain the
spectral shape. We discuss possible origins of the radio emission, and conclude that coherent
emission, a stellar wind, shocks and a propeller outflow are all unlikely explanations. A jet, as
seen in LMXBs, is consistent with the observed radio properties. We consider the implications
of the presence of a jet in Her X-1 on jet formation mechanisms and on the launching of jets
by NSs with strong magnetic fields. |
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