arXiv subjects

S. Johnston

Publications and source records attributed to S. Johnston.

329 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

A search for pulsar wind nebulae using pulsar gating

Previous searches for radio pulsar wind nebulae (PWN) suggest that only the youngest and most energetic pulsars power PWN. However the selection effects associated with such searches are severe, in that emission from a faint compact PWN will be masked by that from its associated pulsar. This has motivated us to search for radio PWN using the technique of pulsar gating, which allows us to ``switch off'' the pulsed emission and see what is hidden underneath. This search has resulted in the detection of the faintest radio PWN yet discovered, while non-detections around other pulsars have implications for previous claims of nebular emission and for associations with nearby supernova remnants.

astro-ph↗

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.

astro-ph↗

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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arXiv1998

Timing models for the long-orbital period binary pulsar PSR B1259-63

The pulsar PSR B1259-63 is in a highly eccentric 3.4-yr orbit with the Be star SS 2883. Timing observations of this pulsar, made over a 7-yr period using the Parkes 64-m radio telescope, cover two periastron passages, in 1990 August and 1994 January. The timing data cannot be fitted by the normal pulsar and Keplerian binary parameters. A timing solution including a (non-precessing) Keplerian orbit and timing noise (represented as a polynomial of fifth order in time) provide a satisfactory fit to the data. However, because the Be star probably has a significant quadrupole moment, we prefer to interpret the data by a combination of timing noise, dominated by a cubic phase term, and $\dotω$ and $\dot x$ terms. We show that the $\dotω$ and $\dot x$ are likely to be a result of a precessing orbit caused by the quadrupole moment of the tilted companion star. We further rule out a number of possible physical effects which could contribute to the timing data of PSR B1259-63 on a measurable level.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

The implications of radio-quiet neutron stars

We collate the evidence for rotation-powered neutron stars that are visible as X-ray sources and not as radio pulsars. Quantitative upper limits exist for the radio fluxes of eight objects, revealing a population at least an order of magnitude less luminous at radio wavelengths than known radio pulsars of similar power or age. These objects could have intrinsically low radio luminosities, but a simple alternative explanation is that they are pulsars in which the radio beams are directed away from Earth. Where hard X-ray or gamma-ray fluxes are seen, the beaming explanation implies different emission sites for the high-energy radiation and the unseen radio beams. We estimate that (a) the radio beaming fraction of young pulsars is roughly 50%, certainly much less than 100%, and (b) one neutron star is born in the Galaxy every ~90 years. We conclude that probably all neutron stars are born as radio pulsars and that most young, nearby pulsars have already been discovered.

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