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arXiv · 2407.20967

Neutron star kicks plus rockets as a mechanism for forming wide low-eccentricity neutron star binaries

Ryosuke Hirai·Philipp Podsiadlowski·Alexander Heger·Hiroki Nagakura
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Abstract

Recent neutron star surface observations corroborate a long-standing theory that neutron stars may be accelerated over extended periods after their birth. We analyze how these prolonged rocket-like accelerations, combined with rapid birth kicks, impact binary orbits. We find that even a small contribution of rocket kicks combined with instantaneous natal kicks can allow binaries to reach period--eccentricity combinations unattainable in standard binary evolution models. We propose these kick + rocket combinations as a new channel to form wide low-eccentricity neutron star binaries such as Gaia NS1, as well as inducing stellar mergers months to years after a supernova to cause peculiar high-energy transients.

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Ryosuke Hirai, Philipp Podsiadlowski, Alexander Heger, Hiroki Nagakura. 2024-07-30. Neutron star kicks plus rockets as a mechanism for forming wide low-eccentricity neutron star binaries. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213%2Fad6e77

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