Related papers: Isolated neutron stars discovered by ROSAT
Observations of cooling neutron stars allow to measure photospheric radii and to constrain the equation of state of nuclear matter at high densities. In this paper we concentrate on neutron stars, which show thermal (photospheric) X-ray…
As many as $10^9$ neutron stars populate the Galaxy, but only $\approx 10^3$ are directly observed as pulsars or as accreting sources in X-ray binaries. In principle also the accretion of the interstellar medium may make isolated neutron…
Pulsars are rapidly spinning neutron stars, that radiate at the expense of their strong magnetic field and their high surface temperature. Five decades of multi-wavelength observations showed a large variety of physical parameters, such as…
In this paper we review present state of theoretical and observational exploration of isolated neutron stars. We mainly discuss objects which do not show usual radiopulsar activity. We include into our review the following types of objects:…
We present Log N -- Log S distribution for close-by young isolated neutron stars. On the basis of this distribution it is shown that the seven ROSAT isolated neutron stars (if they are young cooling objects) are genetically related to the…
X-ray emission is a common feature of all varieties of isolated neutron stars (INS) and, thanks to the advent of sensitive instruments with good spectroscopic, timing, and imaging capabilities, X-ray observations have become an essential…
To date more than half a dozen X-ray dim isolated neutron stars are known. Their X-ray spectra are characterized by soft blackbody-like emission (kT about 50-120 eV) without indication for harder, non-thermal components. These stars…
Non-accreting neutron stars display diverse characteristics, leading us to classify them into several groups. This chapter is an observational driven review in which we survey the properties of the different classes of isolated neutron…
We present limits to the log N - log S curve for isolated neutron stars, both cooling and accreting neutron stars, which are not active as radio pulsars, as observed with the ROSAT All-Sky Survey and compare it with theoretical…
Discovered over fifty years ago, neutron stars exhibit a remarkable variety of behaviors depending on their age, magnetic field strength, rotational dynamics, emission mechanisms, and surrounding environments. This diversity in their…
Most isolated neutron stars have been discovered thanks to the detection of their pulsed non-thermal emission, at wavelengths spanning from radio to gamma-rays. However, if the beamed non-thermal radiation does not intercept our line of…
The group of 7 thermally emitting and radio-quiet isolated neutron stars (INSs) discovered by ROSAT constitutes a nearby population which locally appears to be as numerous as that of the classical radio pulsars. So far, attempts to enlarge…
The X-ray spectra of isolated neutron stars (INSs) typically include a thermal component, that comes from the cooling surface, and a non-thermal component, produced by highly-relativistic particles accelerated in the stellar magnetosphere.…
Accretion onto old, isolated neutron stars is reviewed. The detection of their X--ray emission with ROSAT is discussed and a summary of the current status of observations is presented.
We suggest that the seven radio-quiet isolated neutron stars observed with ROSAT are young cooling objects associated to recent near-by supernova explosions which formed runaway stars and the Local Bubble, affecting the topology of the…
We collate the evidence for rotation-powered neutron stars that are visible as X-ray sources and not as radio pulsars. Quantitative upper limits exist for the radio fluxes of eight objects, revealing a population at least an order of…
We model Galactic populations of accreting and cooling isolated neutron stars in the attempt to explore their link with a new class of dim soft X-ray sources revealed by ROSAT. For accretors we follow the magneto-rotational and dynamical…
The possibility for direct investigation of thermal emission from isolated neutron stars was opened about 25 years ago with the launch of the first X-ray observatory, Einstein. A significant contribution to this study was provided by ROSAT…
We report the discovery of a new isolated neutron star candidate, RX J0420.0-5022, showing evidence (4 sigma) for 22.7 s X-ray pulsations in ROSAT data. NTT observations of the field around the soft X-ray source do not reveal any likely…
Only seven radio-quiet isolated neutron stars (INSs) emitting thermal X rays are known, a sample that has yet to definitively address such fundamental issues as the equation of state of degenerate neutron matter. We describe a selection…