arXiv subjects

E. V. Gotthelf

Publications and source records attributed to E. V. Gotthelf.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

The Vela Pulsar and its Synchrotron Nebula

(Abridged) We present high-resolution Chandra X-ray observations of PSR B0833-45, the 89 ms pulsar associated with the Vela supernova remnant. We have acquired two observations separated by one month to search for changes in the pulsar and its environment following an extreme glitch in its rotation frequency. We find a well-resolved nebula with a toroidal morphology remarkably similar to that observed in the Crab Nebula, along with an axial Crab-like jet. Between the two observations the flux from the pulsar is found to be steady to within 0.75%; the 3 sigma limit on the fractional increase in the pulsar's X-ray flux is < ~10^-5 of the inferred glitch energy. We use this limit to constrain parameters of glitch models and neutron star structure. We do find a significant increase in the flux of the nebula's outer arc; if associated with the glitch, the inferred propagation velocity is > 0.7c, similar to that seen in the brightening of the Crab Nebula wisps. We propose an explanation for the X-ray structure of the Vela synchrotron nebula based on a model originally developed for the Crab Nebula. In a departure from the Crab model, the magnetization parameter "sigma" of the Vela pulsar wind is allowed to be of order unity; this is consistent with the simplest MHD transport of magnetic field from the pulsar to the nebula, where B < 4 X 10^-4 G. We review effects that may enhance the probability of alignment between the spin axis and space velocity of a pulsar, and speculate that short-period, slowly moving pulsars are just the ones best-suited to producing synchrotron nebulae with such aligned structures.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

3EG J2016+3657: Confirming an EGRET Blazar Behind the Galactic Plane

We recently identified the blazar-like radio source G74.87+1.22 (B2013+370) as the counterpart of the high-energy gamma-ray source 3EG J2016+3657 in the Galactic plane. However, since most blazar identifications of EGRET sources are only probabilistic in quality even at high Galactic latitude, and since there also exists a population of unidentified Galactic EGRET sources, we sought to obtain additional evidence to support our assertion that 3EG J2016+3657 is a blazar. These new observations consist of a complete set of classifications for the 14 brightest ROSAT X-ray sources in the error circle, of which B2013+370 remains the most likely source of the gamma-rays. We also obtained further optical photometry of B2013+370 itself which shows that it is variable, providing additional evidence of its blazar nature. Interestingly, this field contains, in addition to the blazar, the plerionic supernova remnant CTB 87, which is too distant to be the EGRET source, and three newly discovered cataclysmic variables, all five of these X-ray sources falling within 16' of each other. This illustrates the daunting problem of obtaining complete identifications of EGRET sources in the Galactic plane.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

A Possible X-ray and Radio Counterpart of the High-Energy Gamma-ray Source 3EG J2227+6122

The identity of the persistent EGRET sources in the Galactic plane is largely a mystery. For one of these, 3EG J2227+6122, our complete census of X-ray and radio sources in its error circle reveals a remarkable superposition of an incomplete radio shell with a flat radio spectrum, and a compact, power-law X-ray source with photon index Gamma = 1.5 and with no obvious optical counterpart. The radio shell is polarized at a level of 25%. The anomalous properties of the radio source prevent us from deriving a completely satisfactory theory as to its nature. Nevertheless, using data from ROSAT, ASCA, the VLA, and optical imaging and spectroscopy, we argue that the X-ray source may be a young pulsar with an associated wind-blown bubble or bow shock nebula, and an example of the class of radio-quiet pulsars which are hypothesized to comprise the majority of EGRET sources in the Galaxy. The distance to this source can be estimated from its X-ray absorption as 3 kpc. At this distance, the X-ray and gamma-ray luminosities would be 1.7x10^{33} and 3.7x10^{35} erg s^{-1}, respectively, which would require an energetic pulsar to power them. If, on the contrary, this X-ray source is not the counterpart of 3EG J2227+6122, then by process of elimination the X-ray luminosity of the latter must be less than 10^{-4} of its gamma-ray luminosity, a condition not satisfied by any established class of gamma-ray source counterpart. This would require the existence of at least a quantitatively new type of EGRET source, as has been suggested in studies of other EGRET fields.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Detection of a Compact X-ray Source in the Supernova Remnant G29.6+0.1: A Variable Anomalous X-ray Pulsar?

We present follow-up observations of the serendipitously discovered 7-s X-ray pulsar AX J1845-0258, which displays characteristics similar to those observed in the anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs). We find a dramatic reduction in its 3-10 keV flux in both new ASCA and RXTE datasets. Within the pulsar's position-error locus, we detect a faint point source, AX J184453-025640, surrounded by an arc of diffuse X-ray emission. This arc is coincident with the South-East quadrant of the radio shell of the newly discovered supernova remnant G29.6+0.1, reported in our companion paper (Gaensler et al. 1999). Lack of sufficient flux from the source prevents us from confirming the 7-s pulsed emission observed in the bright state; hence, at present we cannot definitively resolve whether AX J1845-0258 and AX J184453-025640 are one and the same. If they are the same, then the peak-to-peak luminosity changes recorded for AX J1845-0258 may be larger than seen in other AXPs; closer monitoring of this pulsar might lead to a resolution on the mechanism that drives AXPs.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

A 700 year-old Pulsar in the Supernova Remnant Kes 75

Since their discovery 30 years ago, pulsars have been understood to be neutron stars (NSs) born rotating rapidly (~ 10-100 ms). These neutron stars are thought to be created in supernova explosions involving massive stars, which give rise to expanding supernova remnants (SNRs). With over 220 Galactic SNRs known (Green 1998) and over 1200 radio pulsars detected (Camilo et al. 2000), it is quite surprising that few associations between the two populations have been identified with any certainty. Here we report the discovery of a remarkable 0.3 sec X-ray pulsar, PSR J1846-0258, associated with the supernova remnant Kes 75. With a characteristic age of only 723 yr, consistent with the age of Kes 75, PSR J1846-0258 is the youngest pulsar yet discovered and is being rapidly spun down by torques from a large magnetic dipole of strength ~ 5E13 G, just above the so-called quantum critical field. PSR J1846-0258 resides in this transitional regime where the magnetic field is hypothesized to separate the regular pulsars from the so-called magnetars. PSR J1846-0258 is evidently a Crab-like pulsar, however, its period, spin-down rate, spin-down conversion efficiency, are each an order-of-magnitude greater, likely the result of its extreme magnetic field.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Multiwavelength Examination of the COS-B Field 2CG 075+00 Yields a Blazar Identification for 3EG J2016+3657

We present a high-energy study of the intriguing COS-B gamma-ray field, 2CG 075+00, in order to search for possible counterparts. New EGRET data show that the COS-B emission probably corresponds to two localized gamma-ray sources, 3EG J2016+3657 and 3EG J2021+3716. Spectral fits to these EGRET sources, assuming a power-law model, yield photon indices of ~ 2 for each object. We examine archival ROSAT and ASCA X-ray data which overlap both EGRET error boxes, and find several point sources in the region to a flux limit of approximately 6.5 x 10^{-13} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}. We conclude that the most probable candidate for 3EG J2016+3657 is the compact, variable, flat-spectrum radio and millimeter source B2013+370 (G74.87+1.22) which has blazar-like properties. The other source, 3EG J2021+3716, remains unidentified.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

ASCA observations of the young rotation-powered pulsars PSR B1046-58 and PSR B1610-50

We present X-ray observations of two young energetic radio pulsars, PSRs B1046-58 and B1610-50, and their surroundings, using archival data from the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA). The energetic pulsar PSR B1046-58 is detected in X-rays with a significance of 4.5 sigma. The unabsorbed flux, estimated assuming a power-law spectrum and a neutral hydrogen column density N_H of 5E21 cm^-2 is (2.5 +/- 0.3) x 10E-13 ergs/cm^2/s in the 2-10 keV band. Pulsed emission is not detected; the pulsed fraction is less than 31% at the 90% confidence level for a 50% duty cycle. We argue that the emission is best explained as originating from a pulsar-powered synchrotron nebula. The X-ray counterpart of the pulsar is the only hard source within the 95% error region of the previously unidentified gamma-ray source 3EG J1048-5840. This evidence supports the results of Kaspi et al. (1999), who in a companion paper, suggest that PSR B1046-58 is the counterpart to 3EG J1048-5840. X-ray emission from PSR B1610-50 is not detected. Using similar assumptions as above, the derived 3 sigma upper limit for the unabsorbed 2-10 keV X-ray flux is 1.5E-13 ergs/cm^2/s. We use the flux limit to estimate the pulsar's velocity to be less than ~170 km/s, casting doubt on a previously reported association between PSR B1610-50 and supernova remnant Kes 32. Kes 32 is detected, as is evident from the correlation between X-ray and radio emission. The ASCA images of PSR B1610-50 are dominated by mirror-scattered emission from the X-ray-bright supernova remnant RCW 103, located 33' away. We find no evidence for extended emission around either pulsar, in contrast to previous reports of large nebulae surrounding both pulsars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

A Giant Glitch in the Energetic 69 ms X-ray Pulsar AXS J161730-505505

We present new results on the recently discovered 69 ms X-ray pulsar AXS J161730-505505, the sixth youngest sample of all known pulsars. We have undertaken a comprehensive X-ray observing campaign of AXS J161730-505505 with the ASCA, SAX, and XTE observatories and follow its long term spin-down history between 1989 and 1999, using these, archival GINGA and ASCA data sets, and the radio ephemeris. The spin-down is not simply described by a linear function as originally thought, but instead we find evidence of a giant glitch (|Delta P/P| > 10E-6) between 1993 August and 1997 September, perhaps the largest yet observed from a young pulsar. The glitch is well described by steps in the period and its first derivative accompanied by a persistent second derivative similar to those in the Vela pulsar. The pulse profile of AXS J161730-505505 presents a single asymmetric peak which is maintained over all observation epochs. The energy spectrum is also steady over time, characterized by a highly absorbed power-law with a photon index 1.4 +/- 0.2, consistent with that found for other young rotation powered pulsars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

A spatially resolved plerionic X-ray nebula around PSR B0540-69

We present a high resolution Chandra X-ray observation of PSR B0540-69, the Crab-like 50 msec pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We use phase-resolved imaging to decompose the extended X-ray emission, as expected of a synchrotron nebula, from the point-like emission of the pulsar. The image of the pulsed X-ray emission shows a well-defined point-spread function of the observation, while the resolved nebula has a morphology and size remarkably similar to the Crab nebula, including evidence for a jet-like feature from PSR B0540-69. The patchy outer shell, which most likely represents the expanding blast-wave of the supernova, is reminiscent of that seen in radio. Based on morphology, size, and energetics there can be little doubt that PSR B0540-69 is an analogous system to the Crab but located in our neighboring galaxy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

A New View on Young Pulsars in Supernova Remnants: Slow, Radio-quiet, & X-ray Bright

We propose a simple explanation for the apparent dearth of radio pulsars associated with young supernova remnants (SNRs). Recent X-ray observations of young remnants have revealed slowly rotating (P ~ 10-s) central pulsars with pulsed emission above 2 keV, lacking in detectable radio emission. Some of these objects apparently have enormous magnetic fields, evolving in a manner distinct from the Crab pulsar. We argue that these X-ray pulsars can account for a substantial fraction of the long sought after neutron stars in SNRs and that Crab-like pulsars are perhaps the rarer, but more highly visible example of these stellar embers. Magnetic field decay likely accounts for their high X-ray luminosity, which cannot be explained as rotational energy loss, as for the Crab-like pulsars. We suggest that the natal magnetic field strength of these objects control their subsequent evolution. There are currently almost a dozen slow X-ray pulsars associated with young SNRs. Remarkably, these objects, taken together, represent at least half of the confirmed pulsars in supernova remnants. This being the case, these pulsars must be the progenitors of a vast population of previously unrecognized neutron stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

A New Pulsar/SNR Pair: AX J1845-0258 in G29.6+0.1

We present a follow-up X-ray and radio study of the field containing the 7-s X-ray pulsar AX J1845-0258, the serendipitous ASCA source whose characteristics are found to be similar to those of the anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs). Newly acquired ASCA data confirms a dramatic reduction in flux from the pulsar and reveals instead a faint X-ray point source, AX J184453.3-025642, within the pulsar's error circle. This X-ray source is surrounded by a partial shell of emission coincident with a newly discovered young shell-type radio supernova remnant, G29.6+0.1. The central X-ray source is too faint to provide a detection of the expected pulsations which might confirm AX J184453.3-025642 as the pulsar. We argue that this system is similar to that of RCW 103, another AXP-like object whose central source displays low/high flux states (but no pulsations). The alternative interpretation of a binary system, perhaps associated with a supernova remnant, is still possible. In either case, this result may have profound implication on the evolution of young neutron stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Evidence of 10-100 TeV Electrons in Supernova Remnants

Analyses of the X-ray data of the five young shell-type supernova remnants Cas A, Kepler, Tycho, SN 1006, and RCW 86 suggest that some of the X-ray emission of these sources is non-thermal. This non-thermal emission is qualitatively consistent with models of the broad-band (radio-to-X-ray) synchrotron spectra of remnants and does not seem to be consistent with other non-thermal X-ray emission processes. If this emission is produced by synchrotron radiation, the radio-to-X-ray synchrotron spectra imply that the electron spectra have differential spectral indices of about 2.2 and exponential cut offs at energies ~ 10 TeV. If the remnants also accelerate cosmic-ray nuclei, the total energies of the cosmic rays in the remnants are estimated to be ~ 1-5 X 10^49 erg. Therefore, the shapes of the cosmic-ray electron spectra, the maximum energies of the cosmic-ray electrons, and the total cosmic-ray energies of the five young remnants seem to be consistent with the idea that Galactic cosmic rays are predominantly accelerated in the shocks of supernova remnants.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

A supernova remnant coincident with the slow X-ray pulsar AX J1845-0258

We report on Very Large Array observations in the direction of the recently-discovered slow X-ray pulsar AX J1845-0258. In the resulting images, we find a 5-arcmin shell of radio emission; the shell is linearly polarized with a non-thermal spectral index. We class this source as a previously unidentified, young (< 8000 yr), supernova remnant (SNR), G29.6+0.1, which we propose is physically associated with AX J1845-0258. The young age of G29.6+0.1 is then consistent with the interpretation that anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) are isolated, highly magnetized neutron stars ("magnetars"). Three of the six known AXPs can now be associated with SNRs; we conclude that AXPs are young (~<10 000 yr) objects, and that they are produced in at least 5% of core-collapse supernovae.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

On the Spin History of the X-ray Pulsar in Kes 73: Further Evidence For an Utramagnetized Neutron Star

In previous papers, we presented the discovery of a 12-s X-ray pulsar in the supernova remnant Kes 73, providing the first direct evidence for an ultramagnetized neutron star, a magnetar, with an equivalent dipole field of nearly twenty times the quantum critical magnetic field. Our conclusions were based on two epochs of measurement of the spin, along with an age estimate of the host supernova remnant. Herein, we present a spin chronology of the pulsar using additional GINGA, ASCA, XTE, & SAX datasets spanning over a decade. Timing and spectral analysis confirms our initial results and severely limit an accretion origin for the observed flux. Over the 10 year baseline, the pulsar is found to undergo a rapid, constant spindown, while maintaining a steady flux and an invariant pulse profile. Within the measurement uncertainties, no systematic departures from a linear spin-down are found - departures as in the case of glitches or simply stochastic fluctuations in the pulse times-of-arrival (e.g. red timing noise). We suggest that this pulsar is akin to the soft gamma-ray repeaters, however, it is remarkably stable and has yet to display similar outbursts; future gamma-ray activity from this object is likely.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

X-ray Variability from the Compact Source in the Supernova Remnant RCW 103

A new ASCA observation of 1E 161348-5055, the central compact X-ray source in the supernova remnant RCW 103, reveals an order-of-magnitude decrease in its 3 - 10 keV flux since the previous ASCA measurement four years earlier. This result is hard to reconcile with suggestions that the bulk of the emission is simple quasi-blackbody, cooling radiation from an isolated neutron star. Furthermore, archived EINSTEIN and ROSAT datasets spanning 18 years confirm that this source manifests long-term variability, to a lesser degree. This provides a natural explanation for difficulties encountered in reproducing the original EINSTEIN detection of 1E 161348-5055. Spectra from the new data are consistent with no significant spectral change despite the decline in luminosity. We find no evidence for a pulsed component in any of the data sets, with a best upper limit on the pulsed modulation of 13 percent. We discuss the phenomenology of this remarkable source.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

ROSAT HRI Detection of the 16 ms Pulsar PSR J0537-6910 Inside SNR N157B

Based on a deep ROSAT HRI observation, we have detected a pulsed signal in the 0.1-2 keV band from PSR J0537-6910 --- the recently discovered pulsar associated with the supernova remnant N157B in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The measured pulse period 0.01611548182 ms (+- 0.02 ns), Epoch MJD 50540.5, gives a revised linear spin-down rate of $5.1271 \times 10^{-14} s s^{-1}$, slightly greater than the previously derived value. The narrow pulse shape (FWHM = 10% duty cycle) in the ROSAT band resembles those seen in both XTE and ASCA data (> 2 keV), but there is also marginal evidence for an interpulse. This ROSAT detection enables us to locate the pulsar at R.A., Dec (J2000) = $5^h37^m47^s.2, -69^\circ 10' 23''$. With its uncertainty $\sim 3''$, this position coincides with the centroid of a compact X-ray source. But the pulsed emission accounts for only about 10% of the source luminosity $\sim 2 \times 10^{36} ergs^{-1}$ in the 0.1-2 keV band. These results support our previous suggestions: (1) The pulsar is moving at a high velocity ($\sim 10^3 km/s$); (2) A bow shock, formed around the pulsar, is responsible for most of the X-ray emission from the source; (3) A collimated outflow from the bow shock region powers a pulsar wind nebula that accounts for an elongated non-thermal radio and X-ray feature to the northwest of the pulsar.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Radio-quiet X-ray pulsars in Supernova Remnants and the ``Missing'' Pulsar Problem

The paradigm that young neutron stars (NSs) evolve as rapidly rotating Crab-like pulsars requires re-examination. Evidence is accumulating that, in fact, many young NS are slowly rotating (P ~ 10-s) X-ray pulsars, lacking in detectable radio emission. We present new results on three radio-quiet NS candidates associated with supernova remnants, which suggests that alternative evolutionary-paths exist for young pulsars. These include the 12-s pulsator in Kes 73, the 7-s pulsar near Kes 75, and the enigmatic X-ray source in RCW 103. We postulate that such objects account for the apparent paucity of radio pulsars in supernova remnants.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

A 16 Millisecond X-Ray Pulsar in the Crab-Like SNR N157B: Fast Times at 30 Doradus

The supernova remnant N157B (30 Dor B, SNR 0539-69.1, NGC 2060), located in the Tarantula Nebula of the Large Magellanic Cloud, has long been considered a possible Crab-like remnant. This hypothesis has been confirmed, quite spectacularly, with the discovery of PSR J0537-6910, the remarkable 16 ms X-ray pulsar in N157B. PSR J0537-6910 is the most rapidly spinning pulsar found to be associated with a supernova remnant. Here we report our discovery and summarize the properties of this pulsar and its supernova remnant.

astro-ph↗