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Isolated Neutron Stars: The Challenge of Simplicity

2009; Springer Nature (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-540-76965-1_7

2214-7985

R. Turolla,

Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae

The seven soft, thermal sources discovered by ROSAT offer an unprecedented opportunity to unveil the temperature and magnetic field surface distribution of isolated neutron stars. This makes a direct measurement of the star radius and mass within reach and will allow to place tight constraints on matter equation of state at nuclear densities. In this chapter the main observational properties of the Magnificent Seven are reviewed, and the current status of theoretical modeling presented. Emphasis is placed on the main challenge these objects pose to theorists, namely how can a cooling neutron star emit a nearly perfect blackbody spectrum. Open issues concern the origin of the broad absorption features (or lack thereof) detected around a few hundred electron volts, the search for new candidates and the (possible) links of the Magnificent Seven with other classes of Galactic neutron star sources, the newly discovered rotating radio transients and the magnetar candidates in particular.