Discovery of a radio emitting neutron star with an ultra-long spin period of 76 seconds

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of an ultra-long period radio-emitting neutron star with unique properties, challenging existing models of neutron star evolution and emission mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents the first known ultra-long period radio neutron star, expanding the understanding of neutron star populations and their emission behaviors.

Findings

Discovered a neutron star with a 75.88 s spin period

Identified unique spectro-temporal emission properties

Suggested a larger undetected population of similar objects

Abstract

The radio-emitting neutron star population encompasses objects with spin periods ranging from milliseconds to tens of seconds. As they age and spin more slowly, their radio emission is expected to cease. We present the discovery of an ultra-long period radio-emitting neutron star, J0901-4046, with spin properties distinct from the known spin and magnetic-decay powered neutron stars. With a spin-period of 75.88 s, a characteristic age of 5.3 Myr, and a narrow pulse duty-cycle, it is uncertain how radio emission is generated and challenges our current understanding of how these systems evolve. The radio emission has unique spectro-temporal properties such as quasi-periodicity and partial nulling that provide important clues to the emission mechanism. Detecting similar sources is observationally challenging, which implies a larger undetected population. Our discovery establishes the existence of ultra-long period neutron stars, suggesting a possible connection to the evolution of highly magnetized neutron stars, ultra-long period magnetars, and fast radio bursts