NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0186
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0186 |
|
PI: Peter Jonker, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA & SRON, pjonker@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: HEAD, 60 garden street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
CoI: Manuel Torres, SRON
CoI: Deepto Chakrabarty, MIT
CoI: Danny Steeghs, Warwick University
Title: The unique opportunity to determine the mass of an accreting neutron star: the eclipsing accretion powered X-ray pulsar SWIFT J1749.4-2807
Abstract:
Last year it was discovered that the peculiar transient SWIFT
J1749.4-2807 exhibits pulsations at 518 Hz. Furthermore, it turned out
that the source was eclipsing in a 8.8 hr orbit thereby holding the
promise of a model independent neutron star mass determination. Optical
or near-infrared dynamical studies offer the best prospects for
constraining the neutron star equation of state, as they do not rely on
any specific models concerning the neutron star itself. Unfortunately,
the source position of SWIFT J1749.4-2807 is not well know at present.
The unique focusing capabilities of Chandra will provide the source
position via our approved Chandra observation. Here, we propose for
Gemini near-infrared imaging, to locate the near-infrared counterpart of
the source. The time 0.2 hrs has been awarded via the Chandra TAC.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0186 |
|