The PSR J0514-4002A binary system in NGC 1851

Abstract

Using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), we have discovered PSR J0514-4002A, a binary millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster NGC 1851. This pulsar has a rotational period of 4.99 ms and the most eccentric pulsar orbit yet found: e = 0.89. The orbital period is 18.8 days, and companion has a minimum mass of 0.9 M_sun; its nature is presently unclear. After accreting matter from a low-mass stellar companion, this pulsar exchanged it for its more massive present companion. This system presents the strongest evidence to date of such a process.

6 pages, 3 figures, to be published in the proceedings of the "Binary Pulsars" Conference, Aspen, January 2004