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Manchester, R. N.

Publications and source records attributed to Manchester, R. N..

X-Radiation from the Millisecond Pulsar J0437-4715

We report on spectral and timing observations of the nearest millisecond pulsar, 50437-471 5, with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The pulsar spectrum, detected up to 7 keV, cannot be described by a simple one-component model. We suggest that it consists of two components: a nonthermal power-law spectrum generated in the pulsar magnetosphere, with a photon index gamma approx. = 2, and a thermal spectrum emitted by heated polar caps, with a temperature decreasing outward from 2 to 0.5 MK. The lack of spectral features in the thermal component suggests that the neutron star surface is covered by a hydrogen (or helium) atmosphere. The timing analysis shows one X-ray pulse per period, with a pulsed fraction of about 40% and the peak at the same pulse phase as the radio peak. No synchrotron pulsar-wind nebula is seen in X-rays.

Zavlin, V. E.

Classical Spin-Orbit Coupling and Periastron Advance in a Binary Pulsar

We report on radio timing observations of PSR J0045-7319, and eccentric pulsar/B star 51-day binary in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Significant deviations from a simple Keplerian orbit, observed as precessions of the periastron longitude and orbital plane, are identified with classical spin-orbit coupling and apsidal advance, for the fist time in a binary pulsar. Both precessions result from the B star's rotationally-induced gravitational quadropole moment, however, the orbital plane precession requires the B star's spin axis to be inclined with respect to the orbital angular momentum. We constrain this inclination angle (theta) to be 25(deg) <(theta)<41(deg). Under the conventional assumption that the pre-supernova angular momenta were aligned, our observations provide the most direct evidence yet for an asymmetric supernova.

radio timing psr j0045-7319 pulsars binary pulsars

Discovery of a Young, Energetic Pulsar Near the Supernova Remnant G290.1-0.8 and the Gamma-Ray Source 2EG J1103-6106

We report on the discovery and follow-up timing observations of a 63-ms radio pulsar, PSR J1105-6107. We show that the pulsar is young, having a characteristic age of only 63kyr. We consider its possible association with the nearby remnant G290.1-0.8 (MSH 11-61A) but uncertainties in the distances and ages preclude a firm conclusion.

stars neutron stars pulsars supernova remnants gam

A Giant Glitch in PSR B1757-24

One of the largest known glitches has been detected in the young pulsar PSR B1757-24. The glitch occurred around MJD 49476 and was characterized by a fractional increase in rotation rate of 2X10 -6 .

PSR

A high-frequency survey of the southern Galactic plane for pulsars

Results of an HF survey designed to detect young, distant, and short-period pulsars are presented. The survey detected a total of 100 pulsars, 46 of which were previously unknown. The periods of the newly discovered pulsars range between 47 ms and 2.5 ms. One of the new discoveries, PSR 1259-63, is a member of a long-period binary system. At least three of the pulsars have ages less than 30,000 yr, bringing the total number of such pulsars to 12. The majority of the new discoveries are distant objects with high dispersion measures, which are difficult to detect at low frequencies. This demonstrates that the survey has reduced the severe selection effects of pulse scattering, high Galactic background temperature, and dispersion broadening, which hamper the detection of such pulsars at low radio frequencies. The pulsar distribution in the southern Galaxy is found to extend much further from the Galactic center than that in the north, probably due to two prominent spiral arms in the southern Galaxy.

Johnston, Simon

A 5.75-millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae

A pulsar with a period of 5.75 ms and a dispersion measure of 25/cu cm pc has been found in the direction of 47 Tucanae. Despite its probable origin as a member of a binary system, timing measurements show that the pulsar is now single. The observed dispersion measure is consistent with the pulsar lying outside the Galactic electron layer and within 47 Tucanae, but it is very different from the value of 67/cu cm pc for the pulsars that were reported recently as being in this globular cluster. It is suggested that the latter pulsars probably do not in fact lie within 47 Tucanae.

Manchester, R. N.

Radio astronomy

The activities of the Deep Space Network in support of radio and radar astronomy operations during July and August 1980 are reported. A brief update on the OSS-sponsored planetary radio astronomy experiment is provided. Also included are two updates, one each from Spain and Australia on current host country activities.

Taylor, R. M.

Pulsar rotation and dispersion measures and the galactic magnetic field.

Use of observations of pulsar polarization and pulse time of arrival at frequencies between 250 and 500 MHz to determine rotation and dispersion measures for 19 and 21 pulsars, respectively. These measurements have been used to calculate mean line-of-sight components of the magnetic field in the path to the pulsars. These and other observations show that there is probably no contribution to the observed rotation measure from the pulsar itself. Low-latitude, low-dispersion pulsars are observed to have strong field components, and a strong dependence of rotation-measure sign on galactic longitude has been found. The observations are consistent with a relatively uniform field of about 3.5 microgauss directed toward about l = 90 deg in the local region, but appear to be inconsistent with the helical model for the local field.

Manchester, R. N.