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A 110-ms pulsar, with negative period derivative, in the globular cluster M15

Nature volume 337, pages 531–533 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

We report the discovery of a 110-ms pulsar, PSR2127 +11, in the globular cluster M15 (NGC7078)1. The results of nine months of timing measurements place the new pulsar about 2″ from the centre of the cluster, and indicate that it is not a member of a close binary system. The measured negative value of the period derivative, Ṗ≈ –2 x 10−17 s s−1, is probably the result of the pulsar being bodily accelerated in our direction by the gravitational field of the collapsed core of M15. This apparently overwhelms a positive contribution to Ṗ due to magnetic braking. Although PSR2127 + 11 has an unexpectedly long period, we argue that it belongs to the class of 'recycled' pulsars, which have been spun up by accretion in a binary system. The subsequent loss of the pulsar's companion is probably due to disruption of the system by close encounters with other stars2,3.

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Author notes

  1. R. J. Dewey

    Present address: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arecibo Observatory, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 00613, USA

    A. Wolszczan

  2. Department of Astronomy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, 91125, USA

    S. R. Kulkarni

  3. Computing and Communications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, 87545, USA

    J. Middleditch

  4. Astronomy Department, University of California, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA

    D. C. Backer

  5. Joseph Henry Laboratories and Physics Department, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544, USA

    A. S. Fruchter

  6. Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

    R. J. Dewey

Authors
  1. A. Wolszczan
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  2. S. R. Kulkarni
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  3. J. Middleditch
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  4. D. C. Backer
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  5. A. S. Fruchter
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  6. R. J. Dewey
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Wolszczan, A., Kulkarni, S., Middleditch, J. et al. A 110-ms pulsar, with negative period derivative, in the globular cluster M15. Nature 337, 531–533 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/337531a0

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