Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/55870

Title

Discovery of a 136 millisecond radio and X-ray pulsar in supernova remnant G54.1+0.3

Author(s)

Camilo, F.;  Lorimer, D. R.;  Bhat, N. D. R.;  Gotthelf, E. V.;  Halpern, J. P.;  Wang, Q. D.;  Lu, F. J.;  Mirabal, N.

Abstract

We report the discovery of a pulsar with period P = 136 ms and dispersion measure 308 cm-3 pc in a deep observation of the supernova remnant (SNR) G54.1+0.3 with the Arecibo radio telescope. Timing measurements of the new pulsar, J1930+1852, reveal a characteristic age of P/2P = 2900 yr and a spin-down luminosity of Ė = 1.2 × 1037 ergs s -1. We have subsequently searched archival ASCA X-ray data of this SNR and detect pulsations with a consistent period. These findings ensure that PSR J1930+1852 is the pulsar that powers the 'Crab-like' SNR G54.1+0.3. Together with existing Chandra observations of the SNR, we derive an X-ray pulsed fraction (2-10 keV) of ≈27%. We also find that the cooling efficiency of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) is intermediate between those of the Vela and Crab PWNe: Lx(2-10 keV) ∼ 0.002Ė. PSR J1930+1852 is a very weak radio source, with a period-averaged flux density at 1180 MHz of 60 μJy. For a distance of 5 kpc, its luminosity, ∼1 mJy kpc2, is among the lowest for known young pulsars.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

The Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 574, no. (Jul 2002), pp. L71-L74

Publication year

2002

FOR Code(s)

0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences

Keyword(s)

ISM;  G54.1+0.3;  PSR J1930+1852;  Pulsar wind nebula;  PWN;  Pulsars;  Supernova remnants

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

ISSN

0004-637X

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/342351

Copyright

Copyright © 2002 American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed