SXP 1062: an Evolved Magnetar in a BeXB ?

Abstract

SXP 1062, a newly discovered Be/X-ray binary in the Small Magellanic Cloud, provides the first example of a robust association with a supernova remnant (SNR). The short age estimated for the SNR qualifies SXP 1062 as the youngest known source in its class, ~ 10^4 yr. Here we discuss possible evolutionary scenarios for SXP 1062 in the attempt to reconcile its long spin period, P=1062 s, and short age. Our results indicate that SXP 1062 may host a neutron star born with a large initial magnetic field, typically in excess of ~ 10^14 G, which then decayed to ~ 10^13 G.