arXiv subjects

Mallory S. E. Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to Mallory S. E. Roberts.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Pulsar Searches of EGRET Sources

The majority of Galactic high-energy gamma-ray sources continue to elude identification. Currently, we have a handful of firm pulsar identifications, one of which is radio quiet, and a few marginal detections, including one millisecond pulsar. Recently, both blind searches of EGRET error boxes and targeted searches of X-ray counterpart candidates have had some success in finding new pulsars. I review these results, and discuss our current program of searching mid-Galactic latitude EGRET error boxes using the Parkes multi-beam system.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

The Pulsar Wind Nebula in G11.2-0.3

We present an X-ray and radio study of the wind nebula surrounding the central pulsar PSR J1811-1925 in the supernova remnant G11.2-0.3. Using high resolution data obtained with the Chandra X-ray observatory and with the VLA radio telescope we show the X-ray and radio emission is asymmetric around the pulsar, despite the latter's central position in the very circular shell. The new X-ray data allow us to separate the synchrotron emission of the pulsar wind nebula from the surrounding thermal emission and that from the pulsar itself. Based on X-ray data from two epochs, we observe temporal variation of the location of X-ray hot spots near the pulsar, indicating relativistic motion. We compare thermal emission observed within the shell, which may be associated with the forward shock of the pulsar wind nebula, to thermal emission from a nearby portion of the remnant shell, the temperature of which implies an expansion velocity consistent with the identification of the remnant with the historical event of 386 A.D. The measured X-ray and radio spectral indices of the nebula synchrotron emission are found to be consistent with a single synchrotron cooling break. The magnetic field implied by the break frequency is anomalously large given the apparent size and age of the nebula if a spherical morphology is assumed, but is consistent with a bipolar morphology.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

PSR J2021+3651: A Young Radio Pulsar Coincident with an Unidentified EGRET Gamma-ray Source

We report on a deep search for radio pulsations toward five unidentified ASCA X-ray sources coincident with EGRET gamma-ray sources. This search has led to the discovery of a young and energetic pulsar using data obtained with the new Wideband Arecibo Pulsar Processor. PSR J2021+3651 is likely associated with the X-ray source AX J2021.1+3651, which in turn is likely associated with the COS B high energy gamma-ray source 2CG 075+00, also known as GeV J2020+3658 or 3EG J2021+3716. PSR J2021+3651 has a rotation period P = 104 ms and P_dot = 9.6x10^{-14}, implying a characteristic age ~17 kyr and a spin-down luminosity E_dot ~ 3.4x10^{36}ergs/s. The dispersion measure DM ~ 371 pc cm^{-3} is by far the highest of any observed pulsar in the Galactic longitude range 55 < l < 80. This DM suggests a distance d > 10 kpc, and a high gamma-ray efficiency of \~15%, but the true distance may be closer if there is a significant contribution to the DM from excess gas in the Cygnus region. The implied luminosity of the associated X-ray source suggests the X-ray emission is dominated by a pulsar wind nebula unresolved by ASCA.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Spectral Components of the Radio Composite Supernova Remnant G11.2-0.3

We present a high-resolution radio study of the supernova remnant (SNR) G11.2-0.3 using archival VLA data. Spectral tomography is performed to determine the properties of this composite-type SNR's individual components, which have only recently been distinguished through X-ray observations. Our results indicate that the spectral index of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN), or plerion, is alpha_P ~ 0.25. We observe a spectral index of alpha_S ~ 0.56 throughout most of the SNR shell region, but also detect a gradient in alpha in the south-eastern component. We compare the spectral index and flux density with recent single-dish radio data of the source. Also, the radio efficiency and morphological properties of this PWN are found to be consistent with results for other known PWN systems.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Chandra Imaging of the Gamma-Ray Source GeV J1809-2327

We report on Chandra imaging observations of the Galactic Unidentified $γ$-ray source GEV J1809-2327, comparing the X-ray images with new VLA 1.46 GHz and 4.86 GHz maps. The X-ray images reveal a point source connected to a non-thermal X-ray/radio nebula, supporting a pulsar/wind model for the $γ$-ray emitter. We also detect numerous X-ray sources from the young stellar association in the adjacent HII region S32.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Pulsar Wind Nebulae as High Energy Gamma-Ray Emitters

There is growing evidence that some variable high-energy gamma-ray sources are associated with pulsar wind nebulae. We review the current status of X-ray and radio studies of the sources most likely to be significant emitters above 100 MeV. The assumption of the gamma-radiation arising from synchrotron processes puts a lower limit on the magnetic field and suggests there may be significant doppler boosting causing the asymmetries seen in the morphology of these nebulae. However, these sources are also in close proximity to molecular clouds, suggesting that variable gamma-ray emission may arise from a ram pressure confined pulsar wind nebula in a dense medium.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Multiwavelength Studies of PSR J1420-6048, a Young Pulsar in the Kookaburra

We present X-ray, radio, and infrared observations of the 68 ms pulsar PSR J1420-6048 and its surrounding nebula, a possible counterpart of the gamma-ray source GeV J1417-6100/3EG J1420-6038. Pulsed X-ray emission at the radio period is marginally detected by ASCA from a source embedded in the hard spectrum X-ray nebula AX J1420.1-6049. At radio wavelengths, the pulsar is found to be strongly linearly and circularly polarized, and the polarization sweep is measured. A comparison of high resolution ATCA radio imaging of the Kookaburra's upper wing (G313.6+0.3), which contains the pulsar and the X-ray nebula, with infrared images suggests the radio emission is partly non-thermal.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Phase Dependent Spectral Variability of 4U1907+09

We report on ASCA, RXTE, and archival observations of the high mass X-ray binary pulsar 4U1907+09. Spectral measurements of the absorption and flux were made at all phases of the X-ray pulsar orbit, including the first spectral measurements of an extended period of low flux during two of the ASCA observations. We find that a simple spherical wind model can fit the time averaged light curve as measured by the RXTE ASM, but does not fit the observed changes in the absorption column or account for the existence of the phase-locked secondary flare. An additional model component consisting of a trailing stream can account for the variations in column depth. However, these models favor a high inclination angle for the system, suggesting a companion mass more consistent with an identification as a Be-star. In this case an equatorially enhanced wind and inclined neutron star orbit may be a more appropriate interpretation of the data.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

X-Ray and Radio Observations of Bright GeV Sources

We present X-ray and radio studies of sources which are brightabove 1 GeV (F_{>1GeV} > 4e-8 ph/cm^2/s. Only 11 out of ~30 of these gamma-ray sources have been identified with lower energy counterparts: 5 blazars and 6 pulsars. Three of these pulsars are surrounded by radio pulsar wind nebulae (PWN), two of which are also seen as bright, extended X-ray synchrotron nebulae. The ASCA X-ray telescope has observed 28 of the bright GeV sources, revealing an excess of F_{2-10keV} > 10e-12 ergs/cm^2/s sources within the {\it EGRET} error contours of the unidentified sources. Although several supernova remnants are positionally coincident with these sources, we find no X-ray evidence of high energy particle production in SNR shell shocks consistent with the GeV positions. We also present initial results from follow on radio imaging studies of several fields containing unidentified sources. We have discovered new X-ray/radio nebulae in three of these fields which are strong candidates for PWN. These sources, along with a similar nebula in CTA 1 and the PWN around PSR B1853+01 in W44, are all positionally coincident with variable EGRET sources. This suggests a class of variable gamma-ray sources associated with synchrotron emitting regions powered by the winds of young pulsars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The ASCA Catalog of Potential X-Ray Counterparts of GeV Sources

We present a catalog of 2-10 keV ASCA Gas Imaging Spectrometer images of fields containing bright sources of GeV emission. The images cover $\sim 85%$ of the 95% confidence position contour for 28 of the 30 sources with $> 1$ GeV fluxes above $4\times 10^{-8}$ ph ${\rm cm}^{-2} {\rm s}^{-1}$. We find an excess of hard X-ray sources with $F_{2-10 keV} \ga 10^{-12}$ ergs ${\rm cm}^{-2} {\rm s}^{-1}$ positionally coincident with unidentified sources of GeV emission. We comment on radio-loud and radio-quiet pulsar candidates, as well as several SNR and massive binaries as possible sources of the GeV emission. We also find evidence for a class of variable $γ-$ray sources associated with extended regions of hard X-ray emission, and propose that for these sources, a significant percentage of the $γ-$ray emission is generated in synchrotron nebulae surrounding fast, young pulsars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

The `Rabbit': A Potential Radio Counterpart of GeV J1417-6100

We have mapped the radio emission in the error ellipse of GeV J1417-6100 (2EGS J1418-6049) at 13cm and 20cm using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We find a large shell with extended wings, at the edge of which is a non-thermal, polarized structure with a center filled morphology (the `Rabbit'), coincident with an extended, hard X-ray source. We discuss the various sources seen within the ellipse as potential counterparts of the gamma-ray source. We conclude that the most likely scenario is that the Rabbit is a wind nebula surrounding a radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar.

astro-ph↗