Discovery of the Orbit of the X-ray pulsar OAO 1657-415

Abstract

Timing observations of the 38 s accreting X-ray pulsar OAO 1657-415 made with the BATSE large-area detectors on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory have revealed a binary orbit with an X-ray eclipse by the stellar companion. Arrival time analysis of 20-60 keV data yielded the following best-fit orbital elements: P_(orb) = 10^d.4436 ± 0^d.0038, a_x sin i = 106.0 ± 0.5 lt-sec, e = 0.104 ± 0.005, ω = 93° ± 5°, T_(π/2) = JD 2,448,516.49 ± 0.05 TDB. From the pulsar mass function f_x(M) = 11.7 ± 0.2 M_⊙ and the measured eclipse half-angle θ_e = 29.7 ± 1.3 deg, we infer that the stellar companion is a supergiant of spectral class B0-B6. If the companion can be identified and its orbital velocity measured, the neutron star mass can be constrained. Both intrinsic spin-up and spin-down of the pulsar were measured during our observation.