PSR J0740+6620
PSR J0740+6620 is a neutron star in a binary system with a white dwarf, located 4,600 light years away in the Milky Way galaxy. It was discovered in 2019, by astronomers using the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, U.S., and confirmed as a rapidly rotating millisecond pulsar.
Schematic of a pulsar | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Camelopardalis |
| Right ascension | 07h 40m 45.799s |
| Declination | +66° 20′ 33.60″ |
| Characteristics | |
| Evolutionary stage | Pulsar |
| Details | |
| Mass | 2.08 M☉ |
| Radius | 13-15.1 km R☉ |
| Other designations | |
3FGL J0740.8+6621, 4FGL J0741.0+6618 | |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
It is among the most massive neutron stars ever observed – with 2.08+0.07
−0.07 M☉ placing it near the boundary of the theoretical maximum. Its mass was calculated via the Shapiro delay of its white dwarf companion as it passed edge-on to Earth. It was the record holder for the heaviest NS until July 2022 when the title was taken by PSR J0952–0607 with a reported mass of 2.35+0.17
−0.17 M☉.
PSR J0740+6620 is estimated to measure 12.39+1.30
−0.98 km (7.70+0.81
−0.61 mi).