We discuss the influence of relativistic light deflection near the surface of a neutron star on the pulse profiles calculated from a simple emission model for X-ray pulsars, in particular on the parameters derived by fits to observational data. To illustrate these effects, we performed fits to the pulse profiles of Cen X-3, IE 2259 + 586, and GS 1840 + 00, considering different beaming characteristics for the local emission. In order to account for the asymmetry of the observed pulses, we allow the magnetic poles to have an offset angle with respect to a symmetric position. We present fits biased toward a symmetric setup as well as unbiased fits. We find important qualitative differences compared with the results of Leahy (1991), who has recently presented fits without taking light deflection into account.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Riffert et al. (1993) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: