Binary-binary interactions and the formation of the PSR B1620-26 triple system in M4

Frederic A. Rasio; Steve Mcmillan; Piet Hut

doi:10.1086/187708

Binary-binary interactions and the formation of the PSR B1620-26 triple system in M4

Frederic A. Rasio^*, Steve Mcmillan, Piet Hut

^*Corresponding author for this work

Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hierarchical triple system containing the millisecond pulsar PSR B1620-26 in M4 is the first triple star system ever detected in a globular cluster. Such systems should form in globular clusters as a result of dynamical interactions between binaries. We propose that the triple system containing PSR B1620-26 formed through an exchange interaction between a wide primordial binary and a pre-existing binary millisecond pulsar. This scenario would have the advantage of reconciling the ∼10⁹ yr timing age of the pulsar with the much shorter lifetime of the triple system in the core of M4.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L33-L36
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	438
Issue number	1 PART 2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/187708
State	Published - Jan 1 1995

Keywords

Celestial mechanics, stellar dynamics
Globular clusters: general
Globular clusters: individual (M4)
Pulsars: individual (PSR B1620-26)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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abstract = "The hierarchical triple system containing the millisecond pulsar PSR B1620-26 in M4 is the first triple star system ever detected in a globular cluster. Such systems should form in globular clusters as a result of dynamical interactions between binaries. We propose that the triple system containing PSR B1620-26 formed through an exchange interaction between a wide primordial binary and a pre-existing binary millisecond pulsar. This scenario would have the advantage of reconciling the ∼109 yr timing age of the pulsar with the much shorter lifetime of the triple system in the core of M4.",

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AU - Hut, Piet

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AB - The hierarchical triple system containing the millisecond pulsar PSR B1620-26 in M4 is the first triple star system ever detected in a globular cluster. Such systems should form in globular clusters as a result of dynamical interactions between binaries. We propose that the triple system containing PSR B1620-26 formed through an exchange interaction between a wide primordial binary and a pre-existing binary millisecond pulsar. This scenario would have the advantage of reconciling the ∼109 yr timing age of the pulsar with the much shorter lifetime of the triple system in the core of M4.

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KW - Pulsars: individual (PSR B1620-26)

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