Study on magnetized neutron stars with new observational method and instruments

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20372
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0203:Particle-, nuclear-, astro-physics, and related fields
• Research Institution: Chuo University (2023); Japan Aerospace EXploration Agency (2021-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Yoneyama Tomokage 中央大学, 理工学部, 助教 (90908774)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: X線天文学 / 宇宙物理学 / 中性子星 / 半導体検出器

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, we aimed to reveal the magnetosphere and surface magnetic field of neutron stars. For the objective, we developed a brand new X-ray astronomical satellite, "X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission" (XRISM). XRISM has been successfully launched on 2023-09-07. After the commissioning phase, XRISM is in the nominal operation. XRISM has observed several neutron stars, whose data are under analysis to be published.
We also performed archival data analysis for several neutron stars. We have revealed new observational properties that cannot be explained by present aspects for an isolated neutron star and a neutron star binary.

Free Research Field

X線天文学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

XRISMはそれぞれ過去最高のエネルギー分解能と広大な視野を持つ2つのX線望遠鏡を搭載している。これらはX線天文学全体に革新的な成果をもたらし、星の最後の姿である中性子星を含め、宇宙における物質・エネルギー循環の理解を大きく進めることとなる。また、アーカイブデータ解析で得られた成果は、中性子星に対する従来の理解を変えるものであり、中性子星理論にもフィードバックを与えられるものである。