出版社:SISSA, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati
摘要:Besides carrying the distinction of being the most massive young star cluster in our Galaxy, Westerlund 1 contains the notable Magnetar CXOU J164710.2-455216. While this is the only collapsed stellar remnant known for this cluster, a further ~10² Supernovae may have occurred on the basis of the cluster Initial Mass Function, possibly all leaving Black Holes. We identify a candidate former companion to the Magnetar in view of its high proper motion directed away from the Magnetar region, viz. the Luminous Blue Variable W243. We discuss the properties of W243 and how they pertain to the former Magnetar companion hypothesis. Binary evolution arguments are employed to derive a progenitor mass for the Magnetar of 24-25 Sun M , just within the progenitor mass range for Neutron Star birth. We also draw attention to another candidate to be member of a former massive binary.