The emission of interpulses by a 6.45-hour period coherent radio transient

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a 6.45-hour period long-duration radio transient with interpulses, providing new insights into neutron star emission mechanisms and magnetic field geometry.

Contribution

It presents the first observation of interpulses in a long-period radio transient, confirming emission from both magnetic poles and linking the source to neutron stars.

Findings

Longest known period for this class at 6.45 hours

Interpulses indicate emission from both magnetic poles

Supports neutron star origin for long-period transients

Abstract

Long-period radio transients are a novel class of astronomical objects characterised by prolonged periods ranging from 18 minutes to 54 minutes. They exhibit highly polarised, coherent, beamed radio emission lasting only 10--100 seconds. The intrinsic nature of these objects is subject to speculation, with highly magnetised white dwarfs and neutron stars being the prevailing candidates. Here we present ASKAP J183950.5-075635.0 (hereafter, ASKAP J1839-0756), boasting the longest known period of this class at 6.45 hours. It exhibits emission characteristics of an ordered dipolar magnetic field, with pulsar-like bright main pulses and weaker interpulses offset by about half a period are indicative of an oblique or orthogonal rotator. This phenomenon, observed for the first time in a long-period radio transient, confirms that the radio emission originates from both magnetic poles and that the observed period corresponds to the rotation period. The spectroscopic and polarimetric properties of ASKAP J1839-0756 are consistent with a neutron star origin, and this object is a crucial piece of evidence in our understanding of long-period radio sources and their links to neutron stars.