Thorne-\.{Z}ytkow objects with mirror neutron star cores?

TL;DR

This paper investigates the possibility of forming Thorne-Zytkow objects with mirror neutron star cores if dark matter consists of mirror matter, analyzing the gravitational interactions and formation mechanisms involved.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of mirror neutron star cores within Thorne-Zytkow objects and explores their formation plausibility considering mirror matter dark matter.

Findings

Mirror neutron stars would experience similar dynamical friction as regular neutron stars.

Formation of such objects depends on the abundance of mirror matter in the universe.

The paper discusses the potential observational signatures of these exotic objects.

Abstract

A Thorne-\.{Z}ytkow object can be formed when a neutron star is absorbed by the envelope of its giant companion star, spirals toward the center of the giant star due to the drag from the surrounding envelope, and merges with the star's core. During in-spiral, dynamical friction is the main drag force acting on a neutron star inside the star envelope. However, dynamical friction is caused by the neutron star's gravitational interaction with its own gravitationally induced wake. Therefore, exactly the same gravitational drag force will act on a mirror neutron star, and if a significant part of the dark matter is in the form of mirror matter, then we expect the formation of Thorne-\.{Z}ytkow objects with a mirror neutron star inside. We explore the plausibility of the existence of such exotic Thorne-\.{Z}ytkow objects.