Open AccessObservations of the unusual counterpart to the X‐ray pulsar AX J0051−733
Author(s) -
Coe M. J.,
Haigh N. J.,
Laycock S. G. T.,
Negueruela I.,
Kaiser C. R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05342.x
Subject(s) - physics , pulsar , astrophysics , modulation (music) , infrared , binary pulsar , binary number , x ray pulsar , astronomy , millisecond pulsar , arithmetic , mathematics , acoustics
We report optical and infrared (IR) observations of the ASCA X‐ray pulsar system AX J0051−733. The relationship between the X‐ray source and possible optical counterparts is discussed. Long‐term optical data from over 7 yr are presented which reveal both a 1.4‐d modulation and an unusually rapid change in this possible binary period. Various models are discussed.