Complex rotational dynamics of the neutron star in Hercules X-1 revealed by X-ray polarization
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F67985815%3A_____%2F24%3A00587651" target="_blank" >RIV/67985815:_____/24:00587651 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02295-8" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02295-8</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02295-8" target="_blank" >10.1038/s41550-024-02295-8</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Complex rotational dynamics of the neutron star in Hercules X-1 revealed by X-ray polarization
Original language description
In an accreting X-ray pulsar, a neutron star accretes matter from a companion star through an accretion disk. The magnetic field of the rotating neutron star disrupts the inner edge of the disk, funnelling the gas to flow onto the poles on its surface. Hercules X-1 is a prototypical persistent X-ray pulsar about 7 kpc from Earth. Its emission varies on three distinct timescales: the neutron star rotates every 1.2 s, it is eclipsed by its companion each 1.7 d, and the system exhibits a superorbital period of 35 d, which has remained stable since its discovery. Several lines of evidence point to the source of this variation as the precession of the accretion disk or that of the neutron star. Despite the many hints over the past 50 yr, the precession of the neutron star itself has yet not been confirmed or refuted. X-ray polarization measurements (probing the spin geometry of Her X-1) with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer suggest that free precession of the neutron star crust sets the 35 d period, this has the important implication that its crust is somewhat asymmetric by a few parts per ten million.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10308 - Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2024
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Nature Astronomy
ISSN
2397-3366
e-ISSN
2397-3366
Volume of the periodical
8
Issue of the periodical within the volume
8
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
12
Pages from-to
1047-1053
UT code for WoS article
001250338300002
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85196307045