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Thermal X-ray emission from neutron stars

Abstract

The Einstein Observatory (HEAO 2) presents the first realistic opportunity to see a neutron star by observing radiation from its surface. In this review we show that the detection of such thermal radiation or the establishment of strong upper limits to neutron star temperatures is of considerable importance to the study of neutron star matter, neutron star structure, and polar magnetospheres.

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Helfand, D., Chanan, G. & Novick, R. Thermal X-ray emission from neutron stars. Nature 283, 337–343 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/283337a0

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