Neutron Star–Main Sequence Collisions Robustly Form Dynamically Stable Thorne–Żytkow Objects
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Thorne–Żytkow objects (TŻOs) are hypothetical hybrid stars with a neutron star at the core of a large, diffuse envelope. TŻOs may be formed when a newly formed neutron star that is kicked by its supernova collides with its main-sequence companion. Using a moving-mesh hydrodynamics solver integrated into the parallel-code Charm N -body GrAvity solver, we demonstrate that these “impact scenario” formation processes robustly form TŻOs for periastron distances less than one stellar radius. These TŻOs are dynamically stable, and they can serve as initial models for further evolutionary studies.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Institutions: University of Washington, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Awards: Collaborative Research: The Weirdest Stars in the Universe: Illuminating the Origins and Evolution of Thorne-Zytkow Objects, Collaborative Research: WoU-MMA: Toward Binary Neutron Star Mergers on a Moving-mesh, CC* Compute: A Balanced Cluster For Science and Engineering in the Great Lakes Region, Collaborative Research: The Radiation Magnetohydrodynamics of Tidal Disruption Events
OpenAlex ID: W4415495367