ESA sci.esa.int, Science and Technology website covers the latest paper on subject of determination of neutron star mass by Antonios Manousakis from the Copernicus Astronomical Center and it's collaborators.
ESA's website informs:
"Data from INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton have helped astronomers study how neutron stars accrete mass in highly obscured X-ray binaries. The results suggest a new method to estimate the mass of neutron stars, which are among the most dense objects in the Universe.
Astronomers have used INTEGRAL and XMM-Newton to look into the neutron star in IGR J17252-3616, a highly obscured X-ray binary system. The data show how the neutron star, which is being fuelled by the stellar wind from its companion, is substantially deflecting the flow of the accreted material. Comparison with numerical simulations provides an estimate of the neutron star's mass, suggesting a new method to determine the mass of these extremely dense, exotic objects."
The image shows an artist's impression of the highly obscured high-mass X-ray binary IGR J17252-3616, which consists of a neutron star that is accreting mass from its companion, a blue supergiant star. Copyright: ESA/AOES Medialab.
