Abstract
HARRISON1 has suggested on the basis of pulsar data that the Sun might have a companion. This letter discusses some of the implications if such a companion is a compact object, more precisely a neutron star (NS) or a black hole (BH). Using existing accretion results, it is argued that it is impossible to rule out either a NS or a BH as a possible candidate. However, constraints can be placed on the allowed mass range and/or radiation mechanisms. If such a compact object exists, the probability of observing the gravitational lens effect can be substantial.
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PINEAULT, S. If the Sun has a companion…. Nature 275, 727–730 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/275727a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/275727a0
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