SWIFT J1756.9-2508

SWIFT J1756.9-2508 is a millisecond pulsar with a rotation frequency of 182 Hz (period of 5.5 ms). It was discovered in 2007 by the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Explorer and found to have a companion with a mass between 0.0067 and 0.030 solar masses. It is thought that the companion is the remnant of a former companion star, now stripped down to a planetary-mass core. The pulsar is accreting mass from this companion, resulting in occasional violent outbursts from the accumulated material.

External links

* Universe Today, [http://www.universetoday.com/2007/09/12/pulsar-has-almost-completely-devoured-a-star/ Pulsar Has Almost Completely Devoured a Star]

References

*cite journal| journal=Astrophysical Journal Letters| title=Discovery of the accretion-powered millisecond pulsar SWIFT J1756.9-2508 with a low-mass companion| first= H. A.| last= Krimm| coauthors= C. B. Markwardt, C. J. Deloye, P. Romano, D. Chakrabarty, S. Campana, J. R. Cummings, D. K. Galloway, N. Gehrels, J. M. Hartman, P. Kaaret, E. H. Morgan, J. Tueller| id=arxiv|0709.1693