On the mass distribution of neutron stars

R. Valentim; E. Rangel; J. E. Horvath

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.18477.x

paper

On the mass distribution of neutron stars

arXiv:1101.4872 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.18477.x

Abstract

The distribution of masses for neutron stars is analyzed using the Bayesian statistical inference, evaluating the likelihood of proposed gaussian peaks by using fifty-four measured points obtained in a variety of systems. The results strongly suggest the existence of a bimodal distribution of the masses, with the first peak around $1.37 M_{⊙}$ , and a much wider second peak at $1.73 M_{⊙}$ . The results support earlier views related to the different evolutionary histories of the members for the first two peaks, which produces a natural separation (even if no attempt to "label" the systems has been made here), and argues against the single-mass scale viewpoint. The bimodal distribution can also accommodate the recent findings of $\sim M_{⊙}$ masses quite naturally. Finally, we explore the existence of a subgroup around $1.25 M_{⊙}$ , finding weak, if any, evidence for it. This recently claimed low-mass subgroup, possibly related to $O - M g - N e$ core collapse events, has a monotonically decreasing likelihood and does not stand out clearly from the rest of the sample.

11 pp., 3 figures, submitted to MNRAS Letters

On the mass distribution of neutron stars

Abstract

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