Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: When an isolated magnetar with magnetic dipole field B ~ 10 15 G moves at high velocity ( v > 10 7 cm s -1 ) through the interstellar medium, its transition into propeller effect-driven spin-down may occur in less than 10 6 yr. We propose that the nearby neutron star RX J1856.5-3754 is such a magnetar and has spun down by the propeller effect to a period greater than 10 4 s within ~5 × 10 5 yr. This magnetar scenario is consistent with observed thermal X-ray emission properties and the absence of detectable spin modulations of them. Detection of other rapidly moving long-period (>100 s) magnetars with known ages would strongly constrain the very great variety of predicted propeller effect torque magnitudes.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/377705
Authors: Kaya Mori, Malvin A. Ruderman
Institution: Columbia University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2035662747