Compact Objects

Stellar mass compact objects, namely, stellar mass black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs, are formed at the end of the lives of stars. Compact objects are characterized by small radii, much smaller than stellar radii in the case of stellar mass compact objects, but with masses comparable to stellar masses. A compact object derives its name from its compactness, which is proportional to the ratio between the mass of the compact object and its radius. This chapter discusses the formation of neutron stars, the neutron drip, baryonic degeneracy, neutron star structure, the equation of state, pulsars, and post-Keplerian parameters. It explains the formation of black holes and discusses the mass, radius, black hole spin, temperature, and gravitational redshift of the black holes. The chapter describes the binary systems, including Roche lobes, binary evolution, binary mass function, accretion, and ejection.