arXiv subjects

B. M. Gaensler

Publications and source records attributed to B. M. Gaensler.

439 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

Radio observations of G320.4-01.2 and PSR B1509-58

G320.4-01.2 is a complex radio and X-ray source, coinciding on the sky with the young energetic pulsar B1509-58. A young pulsar embedded in a SNR would seem to accord with expectations, but previous observations suggest that all may not be what it seems. Controversy persists over whether the pulsar and the SNR are associated, and as to what causes the remnant's unusual appearance. To answer these questions, we have undertaken a set of high-resolution radio observations of the system. We present the results of this study, which provide new evidence that PSR B1509-58 is associated with and is interacting with G320.4-01.2.

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arXiv1998

The 69 ms Radio Pulsar Near the Supernova Remnant RCW 103

We report the detection of the radio pulsar counterpart to the 69 ms X-ray pulsar discovered near the supernova remnant RCW 103 (G332.4-0.4). Our detection confirms that the pulsations arise from a rotation-powered neutron star, which we name PSR J1617-5055. The observed barycentric period derivative confirms that the pulsar has a characteristic age of only 8 kyr, the sixth smallest of all known pulsars. The unusual apparent youth of the pulsar and its proximity to a young remnant requires that an association be considered. Although the respective ages and distances are consistent within substantial uncertainties, the large inferred pulsar transverse velocity is difficult to explain given the observed pulsar velocity distribution, the absence of evidence for a pulsar wind nebula, and the symmetry of the remnant. Rather, we argue that the objects are likely superposed on the sky; this is reasonable given the complex area. Without an association, the question of where is the supernova remnant left behind following the birth of PSR J1617-5055 remains open. We also discuss a possible association between PSR J1617-5055 and the gamma-ray source 2CG 333+01. Though an association is energetically plausible, it is unlikely given that EGRET did not detect 2CG 333+01.

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arXiv1998

G309.2-00.6 and jets in supernova remnants

We present Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the supernova remnant (SNR) G309.2-00.6. In a 1.3-GHz continuum image the remnant appears as a near-circular shell, but with two brightened and distorted arcs of emission on opposite sides. HI absorption against the SNR yields a distance in the range 5.4 to 14.1 kpc, corresponding to an age (1-20)x10^3 yr. On the basis of the SNR's morphology we argue that it is a younger analogue of the W50/SS433 system, and that its unusual appearance is a result of opposed jets or outflows from a central source. A jet-like feature and breaks in the shell can both be seen along the axis of proposed outflow, providing further support for this interpretation; the central source itself is not detected. The SNR may be interacting with the adjacent HII region RCW 80 through an extension of the proposed outflow beyond its shell. This would put the SNR at the lower limit of its distance range and would imply an age <4000 yr. We consider other SNRs similar to G309.2-00.6, and propose remnants whose shells are affected by jets as one of several classes of SNR from which the presence of a central source can be inferred.

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arXiv1998

An unusual pulsar wind nebula associated with PSR B0906-49

We report on Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the ~10^5 yr old pulsar PSR B0906-49. In an image containing only off-pulse emission, we find a weak, slightly extended source coincident with the pulsar's position, which we argue is best interpreted as a pulsar wind nebula (PWN). A trail of emission extending behind the pulsar aligns with the major axis of the PWN, and implies that the pulsar is moving north-west with projected velocity ~60 km/s, consistent with its scintillation speed. The consequent density we infer for the pulsar's environment is >2 cm^(-3), so that the PWN around PSR B0906-49 is confined mainly by the high density of its surroundings rather than by the pulsar's velocity. Other properties of the system such as the PWN's low luminosity and apparent steep spectrum, and the pulsar's large characteristic age, lead us to suggest that this nebula is substantially different from other radio PWNe, and may represent a transition between young pulsars with prominent radio PWNe and older pulsars for which no radio PWN has been detected. We recommend that further searches for radio PWNe should be made as here: at low frequencies and with the pulsed emission subtracted.

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arXiv1997

Radio continuum and HI observations of supernova remnant G296.8-00.3

We present Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations of the supernova remnant (SNR) G296.8-00.3. A 1.3-GHz continuum image shows the remnant to have a complex multi-shelled appearance, with an unusual rectangular strip running through its centre. HI absorption yields a kinematic distance to the remnant of 9.6+/-0.6 kpc, from which we estimate an age in the range (2-10) x 10^3 yr. The ATCA's continuum mode allows a measurement of the Faraday rotation across the band, from which we derive a mean rotation measure towards the SNR of 430 rad m^(-2). We consider possible explanations for the morphology of G296.8-00.3, and conclude that it either has a biannular structure, as might be produced through interaction with an asymmetric progenitor wind, or that its appearance is caused by the effects of the surrounding interstellar medium. We argue that the adjacent pulsar J1157-6224 is at a similar distance as the SNR, but that a physical association is highly unlikely. The pulsar is the only detectable source in the field in circular polarization, suggesting a method for finding pulsars during aperture synthesis.

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arXiv1997

The nature of bilateral supernova remnants

We present high-resolution radio images at 1.4 GHz of two Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs), G003.8--00.3 (formerly G003.7--00.2) and G350.0--02.0 (formerly G350.0-01.8). Although the two objects are very different in appearance, in both cases the radio emission shows a clear bilateral (or ``barrel'') morphology for which the axis is parallel to the Galactic Plane. The majority of Galactic SNRs have now been observed at high resolution, and one can define a clear bilateral subset of the population. We consider a sample of 17 such SNRs, and find a highly significant tendency for the bilateral axes of these SNRs to be aligned with the Galactic Plane. We interpret this as indicating that ``extrinsic'' effects dominate the morphology of such remnants. Specifically, we argue that the Galactic magnetic field causes these SNRs to appear bilateral, either directly, in the form of magnetic field compression and/or quasi-perpendicular acceleration of electrons in the supernova shock, or more likely indirectly, by pre-processing the interstellar medium to produce density stratifications extended along the Plane.

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arXiv1996

The asymmetric radio remnant of SN 1987A

We present seven years of radio observations of SN 1987A made with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. At 1.4, 2.4, 4.8 and 8.6 GHz, the flux density of the radio remnant has increased monotonically since emission was redetected 1200 days after the explosion. On day 3200, the remnant was expanding at 2800 +/- 400 km/s, which we interpret as indicating significant deceleration of the fastest moving ejecta. Since day 1787 the spectral index has remained constant at alpha = -0.95 +/- 0.04. These observations are all consistent with the shock having encountered a denser, shocked, component of the progenitor's stellar wind. At the current rate of expansion, the shock is expected to encounter the inner optical ring in the year 2006 +/- 3. Using super-resolution, we have also obtained 9 GHz images of the remnant (resolution approx 0".5) at four epochs. The emission is distributed around the rim of a near-circular shell, but has become increasingly asymmetric with time. There are two "hotspots" to the east and west, aligned along the major axis of the optical ring. This morphology is most likely indicative of an axisymmetric circumstellar medium into which the shock is expanding, consistent with present understanding of the progenitor star and its environment.

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