The nature of the companion of PSR J1719-1438: A white dwarf or an exotic object?

Abstract

We raise the possibility that the very dense, compact companion of PSR J1719-1438, which has a Jupiter-like mass, is an exotic quark object rather than a light helium or carbon white dwarf. The exotic hypothesis naturally explains some of the observed features, and provides quite strong predictions for this system, to be confirmed or refuted in feasible future studies. © 2012 National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences and IOP Publishing Ltd.