A dynamically discovered and characterized non-accreting neutron star -- M dwarf binary candidate

Understand

Optical time-domain surveys can unveil and characterize exciting but less-explored non-accreting and/or non-beaming neutron stars (NS) in binaries.

• Here we report the discovery of such a NS candidate using the LAMOST spectroscopic survey.
• The candidate, designated LAMOST J112306.9+400736 (hereafter J1123), is in a single-lined spectroscopic binary containing an optically visible M star.
• The star's large radial velocity variation and ellipsoidal variations indicate a relatively massive unseen companion.