• Title/Summary/Keyword: pulsars

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OPTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE CRAB PULSAR: SIMULTANEOUS UBVR LIGHT CURVES WITH TIME RESOLUTION OF 3.3 ${\mu}s$ AND SPECTROSCOPY

  • KOMAROVA V. N.;BESKIN G. M.;NEUSTROEV V. V.;PLOKHOTNICHENKO V. L.
    • Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.29 no.spc1
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    • pp.217-218
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    • 1996
  • The results of the Crab pulsar observations with the photometrical MANIA (Multichannel Analysis of Nanosecond Intensity Alterations) complex at the 6-m telescope are presented. More than 12 millions photons in UBVR-bands simultaneously with time resolution of $10^{-7}s$ were detected. Using the original software for search for optical pulsar period, we obtained the light curves of the object with time resolution of about 3.3 ${\mu}s$. Their detailed analysis gives the spectral change during pulse and subpulse, the shape of the pulse peaks, which are plateaus (with the duration of about 50${\mu}s$ for the main pulse), limits for an amplitude of fine temporal (stochastic and regular) structure of pulse and sub pulse and the interpulse space intensity. The results of CCD-spectroscopy of the Crab pulsar show that its summarized spectrum is flat. There are no lines, neither emission nor absorbtion ones. Upper limit for line intensity or depth is $3.5\%$ with the confidence probability of $95\%$.

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Correlation Study of Temporal and Emission Properties of Quiescent Magnetars

  • Jiwoo Seo;Jaewon Lee;Hongjun An
    • Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.56 no.1
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    • pp.41-57
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    • 2023
  • We measured temporal and emission properties of quiescent magnetars using archival Chandra and XMM-Newton data, produced a list of the properties for 17 magnetars, and revisited previously suggested correlations between the properties. Our studies carried out with a larger sample, better spectral characterizations, and more thorough analyses not only confirmed previously-suggested correlations but also found new ones. The observed correlations differ from those seen in other neutron-star populations but generally accord with magnetar models. Specifically, the trends of the intriguing correlations of blackbody luminosity (LBB) with the spin-inferred dipole magnetic field strength (BS) and characteristic age (τc) were measured to be LBB ∝ B1.5S and LBB ∝ τ-0.6c, supporting the twisted magnetosphere and magnetothermal evolution models for magnetars. We report the analysis results and discuss our findings in the context of magnetar models.

Implications of PSR J0737-3039B for the Galactic NS-NS Binary Merger Rate

  • Kim, Chunglee;Perera, Benetge Bhakthi Pranama;McLaughlin, Maura A.
    • The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.40 no.1
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    • pp.88.4-89
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    • 2015
  • The Double Pulsar (PSR J0737-3039) is the only neutron star-neutron star (NS-NS) binary in which both NSs have been detectable as radio pulsars. The Double Pulsar has been assumed to dominate the Galactic NS-NS binary merger rate $R_g$ among all known systems, solely based on the properties of the first-born, recycled pulsar (PSR J0737-3039A, or A) with an assumption for the beaming correction factor of 6. In this work, we carefully correct observational biases for the second-born, non-recycled pulsar (PSR J0737-0737B, or B) and estimate the contribution from the Double Pulsar on $R_g$ using constraints available from both A and B. Observational constraints from the B pulsar favour a small beaming correction factor for A (~2), which is consistent with a bipolar model. Considering known NS-NS binaries with the best observational constraints, including both A and B, we obtain $R_g=21_{-14}{^+28}$ per Myr at 95 per cent confidence from our reference model. We expect the detection rate of gravitational waves from NS-NS inspirals for the advanced ground-based gravitational-wave detectors is to be $8_{-5}{^+10}$ per yr at 95 per cent confidence. We discuss prospects of gravitational-wave detection based on our results. Implications of PSR J1906+0746, which is likely to be another tight NS-NS binary in the Galactic disc supported by recent observation, are also remarked.

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Gamma-ray Emission from Globular Clusters

  • Tam, Pak-Hin T.;Hui, Chung Y.;Kong, Albert K. H.
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2016
  • Over the last few years, the data obtained using the Large Area Telescope (LAT) aboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has provided new insights on high-energy processes in globular clusters, particularly those involving compact objects such as MilliSecond Pulsars (MSPs). Gamma-ray emission in the 100 MeV to 10 GeV range has been detected from more than a dozen globular clusters in our galaxy, including 47 Tucanae and Terzan 5. Based on a sample of known gammaray globular clusters, the empirical relations between gamma-ray luminosity and properties of globular clusters such as their stellar encounter rate, metallicity, and possible optical and infrared photon energy densities, have been derived. The measured gamma-ray spectra are generally described by a power law with a cut-off at a few gigaelectronvolts. Together with the detection of pulsed γ-rays from two MSPs in two different globular clusters, such spectral signature lends support to the hypothesis that γ-rays from globular clusters represent collective curvature emission from magnetospheres of MSPs in the clusters. Alternative models, involving Inverse-Compton (IC) emission of relativistic electrons that are accelerated close to MSPs or pulsar wind nebula shocks, have also been suggested. Observations at >100 GeV by using Fermi/LAT and atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes such as H.E.S.S.-II, MAGIC-II, VERITAS, and CTA will help to settle some questions unanswered by current data.

Mechanism of the X-ray and Soft Gamma-ray Emissions from the High Magnetic Field Pulsar: PSR B1509-58

  • Wang, Yu;Takata, Jumpei;Cheng, Kwong Sang
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.91-94
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    • 2013
  • We use the outer gap model to explain the spectrum and the energy dependent light curves of the X-ray and soft ${\gamma}$-ray radiations of the spin-down powered pulsar PSR B1509-58. In the outer gap model, most pairs inside the gap are created around the null charge surface and the gap's electric field separates the opposite charges to move in opposite directions. Consequently, the region from the null charge surface to the light cylinder is dominated by the outflow current and that from the null charge surface to the star is dominated by the inflow current. We suggest that the viewing angle of PSR B1509-58 only receives the inflow radiation. The incoming curvature photons are converted to pairs by the strong magnetic field of the star. The X-rays and soft ${\gamma}$-rays of PSR B1509-58 result from the synchrotron radiation of these pairs. The magnetic pair creation requires a large pitch angle, which makes the pulse profile of the synchrotron radiation distinct from that of the curvature radiation. We carefully trace the pulse profiles of the synchrotron radiation with different pitch angles. We find that the differences between the light curves of different energy bands are due to the different pitch angles of the secondary pairs, and the second peak appearing at E > 10 MeV comes from the region near the star, where the stronger magnetic field allows the pair creation to happen with a smaller pitch angle.

GRAVITATIONAL WAVES AND ASTRONOMY (중력파와 천문학)

  • Lee, Hyung-Mok;Lee, Chang-Hwan;Kang, Gung-Won;Oh, John-J.;Kim, Chung-Lee;Oh, Sang-Hoon
    • Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.71-87
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    • 2011
  • Gravitational waves are predicted by the Einstein's theory of General Relativity. The direct detection of gravitational waves is one of the most challenging tasks in modern science and engineering due to the 'weak' nature of gravity. Recent development of the laser interferometer technology, however, makes it possible to build a detector on Earth that is sensitive up to 100-1000 Mpc for strong sources. It implies an expected detection rate of neutron star mergers, which are one of the most important targets for ground-based detectors, ranges between a few to a few hundred per year. Therefore, we expect that the gravitational-wave observation will be routine within several years. Strongest gravitational-wave sources include tight binaries composed of compact objects, supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts, mergers of supermassive black holes, etc. Together with the electromagnetic waves, the gravitational wave observation will allow us to explore the most exotic nature of astrophysical objects as well as the very early evolution of the universe. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the theory of gravitational waves, principles of detections, gravitational-wave detectors, astrophysical sources of gravitational waves, and future prospects.

X-RAY ASTRONOMY EXPERIMENT ON THE INDIAN SATELLITE IRS-P3

  • AGRAWAL P. C.;PAUL B.;RAO A. R.;SHAH M. R.;MCKERJEE K.;VARIA M. N.;YADAV J. S.;DEDHIA D. K.;MALKAR J. P.;SHAH P.;DAMLE S. V.;MARAR T. M. K.;SEETHA S.
    • Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.29 no.spc1
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    • pp.429-432
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    • 1996
  • An x-ray astronomy experiment consisting of three collimated proportional counters and an X-ray Sky Monitor (XSM) was flown aboard the Indian Satellite IRS-P3 launched on March 21, 1996 from SHAR range in India. The Satellite is in a circular orbit of 830 km altitude with an orbital inclination of $98^{\circ}$ and has three axis stabilized pointing capability. Each pointed-mode Proportional Counter (PPC) is a multilayer, multianode unit filled with P-10 gas ($90\%$ Ar + $10\%\;CH_4$) at 800 torr and having an aluminized mylar window of 25 micron thickness. The three PPCs are identical and have a field of view of $2^{\circ}{\times}2^{\circ}$ defined by silver coated aluminium honeycomb collimators. The total effective area of the three PPCs is about 1200 $cm^2$. The PPCs are sensitive in 2-20 keV band. The XSM consists of a pin-hole of 1 $cm^2$ area placed 16 cm above the anode plane of a 32 cm$\times$32 cm position sensitive proportional counter sensitive in 3-8 keV interval. The position of the x-ray events is determined by charge division technique using nichrome wires as anodes. The principal objective of this experiment is to carry out timing studies of x-ray pulsars, x-ray binaries and other rapidly varying x-ray sources. The XSM will be used to detect transient x-ray sources and monitor intensity of bright x-ray binaries. Observations of black-hole binary Cyg X-1 and few other binary sources were carried out in early May and July-August 1996 period. Details of the x-ray detector characteristics are presented and preliminary results from the observations are discussed.

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