Amateur astronomer helps uncover secrets of unique pulsar binary system

A professional astrophysicist and an amateur astronomer have teamed up to reveal surprising details about an unusual millisecond pulsar (MSP) binary system comprising one of the fastest-spinning pulsars in our Galaxy and its unique companion star.

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CrazyNeutrino said:

Amateur astronomer helps uncover secrets of unique pulsar binary system

A professional astrophysicist and an amateur astronomer have teamed up to reveal surprising details about an unusual millisecond pulsar (MSP) binary system comprising one of the fastest-spinning pulsars in our Galaxy and its unique companion star.

More…

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“Their observations are the first to identify starspots on an MSP’s companion star. Plus, the observations show that the companion has a strong magnetic field. In a typical MSP binary, the gravity of the pulsar distorts the shape of the companion star, pulling it into a teardrop-shape. As it circles the pulsar, we see a cyclical rise and fall in the companion’s brightness. The companion is brightest at two points in its orbit, when we see its broad, tear-shaped profile; it is dimmest midway between those two points, when we see its smallest, circular profile. Naturally, the light curve measuring the brightness rises and falls in step with the companion’s orbital period. The brightness of the companion wasn’t in sync with its 15-hour orbital period.”

Nice work. I was looking for starspots among the data from Kepler, and didn’t find nearly as much as I expected.

It’s a funny word “starspots”, I wish I could use “sunspots” instead but that isn’t kosher.