PSR J0357+3205: a fast moving pulsar with a very unusual X-ray trail
Dec, 2012Citations per year
Abstract: (IOP)
The middle-aged PSR J0357+3205 is a nearby, radio-quiet, bright γ-ray pulsar discovered by the Fermi mission. Our previous Chandra observation revealed a huge, very peculiar structure of diffuse X-ray emission originating at the pulsar position and extending for >9' on the plane of the sky. To better understand the nature of such a nebula, we have studied the proper motion of the parent pulsar. We performed relative astrometry on Chandra images of the field spanning a time baseline of 2.2 yr, unveiling a significant angular displacement of the pulsar counterpart, corresponding to a proper motion of 0.''165 ± 0.''030 yr(–)(1) at a position angle (P.A.) of 314° ± 8°. At a distance of ~500 pc, the space velocity of the pulsar would be of ~390 km s(–)(1) assuming no inclination with respect to the plane of the sky. The direction of the pulsar proper motion is aligned very well with the main axis of the X-ray nebula (P.A. = 315.°5 ± 1.°5), pointing to a physical, yet elusive, link between the nebula and the pulsar space velocity. No optical emission in the Hα line is seen in a deep image collected at the Gemini telescope, which implies that the interstellar medium into which the pulsar is moving is fully ionized.Note:
- 20 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to ApJ Letters
- pulsars: general
- pulsars: individual
- stars: neutron
References(43)
Figures(4)