TY - BOOK
T1 - Timing Neutron Stars
T2 - Pulsations, Oscillations and Explosions
A2 - Méndez, Mariano
A2 - Belloni, Tomaso M.
A2 - Zhang, Chengmin
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Binary systems with a neutron-star primary accreting from a companion
star display variability in the X-ray band on time scales ranging from
years to milliseconds. With frequencies of up to ~1300 Hz, the kilohertz
quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) represent the fastest variability
observed from any astronomical object. The sub-millisecond time scale of
this variability implies that the kHz QPOs are produced in the accretion
flow very close to the surface of the neutron star, providing a unique
view of the dynamics of matter under the influence of some of the
strongest gravitational fields in the Universe. This offers the
possibility to probe some of the most extreme predictions of General
Relativity, such as dragging of inertial frames and periastron
precession at rates that are sixteen orders of magnitude faster than
those observed in the solar system and, ultimately, the existence of a
minimum distance at which a stable orbit around a compact object is
possible. Here we review the last twenty years of research on kHz QPOs,
and we discuss the prospects for future developments in this field.
AB - Binary systems with a neutron-star primary accreting from a companion
star display variability in the X-ray band on time scales ranging from
years to milliseconds. With frequencies of up to ~1300 Hz, the kilohertz
quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs) represent the fastest variability
observed from any astronomical object. The sub-millisecond time scale of
this variability implies that the kHz QPOs are produced in the accretion
flow very close to the surface of the neutron star, providing a unique
view of the dynamics of matter under the influence of some of the
strongest gravitational fields in the Universe. This offers the
possibility to probe some of the most extreme predictions of General
Relativity, such as dragging of inertial frames and periastron
precession at rates that are sixteen orders of magnitude faster than
those observed in the solar system and, ultimately, the existence of a
minimum distance at which a stable orbit around a compact object is
possible. Here we review the last twenty years of research on kHz QPOs,
and we discuss the prospects for future developments in this field.
U2 - 10.1007/978-3-662-62110-3
DO - 10.1007/978-3-662-62110-3
M3 - Book
SN - 978-3-662-62108-0
T3 - Astrophysics and Space Science Library
BT - Timing Neutron Stars
PB - Springer
CY - Berlin
ER -