C J Clark, M Kerr, E D Barr, B Bhattacharyya, R P Breton, P Bruel, F Camilo, W Chen, I Cognard, H T Cromartie, J Deneva, V S Dhillon, L Guillemot, M R Kennedy, M Kramer, A G Lyne, D Mata Sánchez, L Nieder, C Phillips, S M Ransom, P S Ray, M S E Roberts, J Roy, D A Smith, R Spiewak, B W Stappers, S Tabassum, G Theureau, G Voisin
Reliable neutron star mass measurements are key to determining the equation of state of cold nuclear matter, but such measurements are rare. Black widows and redbacks are compact binaries consisting of millisecond pulsars and semi-degenerate companion stars. Spectroscopy of the optically bright companions can determine their radial velocities, providing inclination-dependent pulsar mass estimates. Although inclinations can be inferred from subtle features in optical light curves, such estimates may be systematically biased due to incomplete heating models and poorly understood variability...
2023: Nature Astronomy