The runaway binary LP 400−22 is leaving the Galaxy

We present optical spectroscopy, astrometry, radio and X-ray observations of the runaway binary LP 400−22. We refine the orbital parameters of the system based on our new radial velocity observations. Our parallax data indicate that LP 400−22 is significantly more distant (3σ lower limit of 840 pc)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2013-10, Vol.434 (4), p.3582-3589
Main Authors: Kilic, Mukremin, Gianninas, A., Brown, Warren R., Harris, Hugh C., Dahn, Conard C., Agüeros, M. A., Heinke, Craig O., Kenyon, S. J., Panei, J. A., Camilo, Fernando
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Double stars
Pulsars
Spectrum analysis
Stars & galaxies
Supernovae
X-ray astronomy
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Summary:We present optical spectroscopy, astrometry, radio and X-ray observations of the runaway binary LP 400−22. We refine the orbital parameters of the system based on our new radial velocity observations. Our parallax data indicate that LP 400−22 is significantly more distant (3σ lower limit of 840 pc) than initially predicted. LP 400−22 has a tangential velocity in excess of 830 km s−1; it is unbound to the Galaxy. Our radio and X-ray observations fail to detect a recycled millisecond pulsar companion, indicating that LP 400−22 is a double white dwarf system. This essentially rules out a supernova runaway ejection mechanism. Based on its orbit, a Galactic Centre origin is also unlikely. However, its orbit intersects the locations of several globular clusters; dynamical interactions between LP 400−22 and other binary stars or a central black hole in a dense cluster could explain the origin of this unusual binary.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1093/mnras/stt1282