Science Colloquium
Understanding The Eclipsing Binary Millisecond Pulsar PSR J1740-5340
Ernie Dubeau
Bishop's University
Monday, May 29, 2006
1:00 - 1:50 PM
Johnson Room 20
I will give a likely explanation to the observed properties of the (BMSP) PSR J1740-5340. In 2001 PSR J1740-5340 was discovered in the globular cluster NGC 6397 by D?Amico et al. during a survey conducted with the Parkes radio telescope. Further observations led to a determination of several parameters including the system?s orbital period, mass function, and semi-major axis. The donor star has an unusual position in the HR diagram and this can be explained by assuming that the donor is an evolved star containing a helium core surrounded by a hydrogen-rich envelope that has lost a significant fraction of its original mass due to Roche lobe overflow. The details of the model and its implications will be discussed.
