2002ApJ...569..878G -
Astrophys. J., 569, 878-893 (2002/April-3)
Chandra imaging of the X-ray nebula powered by pulsar B1509-58.
GAENSLER B.M., ARONS J., KASPI V.M., PIVOVAROFF M.J., KAWAI N. and TAMURA K.
Abstract (from CDS):
We present observations with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) powered by the energetic young pulsar B1509-58. These data confirm the complicated morphology of the system indicated by previous observations, and in addition reveal several new components to the nebula. The overall PWN shows a clear symmetry axis oriented at a position angle 150°±5° (north through east), which we argue corresponds to the pulsar spin axis. We show that a previously identified radio feature matches well with the overall extent of the X-ray PWN, and propose the former as the long-sought radio nebula powered by the pulsar. We further identify a bright collimated feature, at least 4' long, lying along the nebula's main symmetry axis; we interpret this feature as a physical outflow from the pulsar, and infer a velocity for this jet of greater than 0.2c. The lack of any observed counterjet implies that the pulsar spin axis is inclined at ∼30° to the line of sight, contrary to previous estimates made from lower resolution data. We also identify a variety of compact features close to the pulsar. A pair of semicircular X-ray arcs lie 17" and 30" to the north of the pulsar; the latter arc shows a highly polarized radio counterpart. We show that these features can be interpreted as ion-compression wisps in a particle-dominated equatorial flow, and use their properties to infer a ratio of electromagnetic to particle energy in pairs at the wind shock σ∼0.005, similar to that seen in the Crab Nebula. We further identify several compact knots seen very close to the pulsar; we use these to infer σ<0.003 at a separation from the pulsar of 0.1 pc.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
ISM: individual (G320.4-1.2) - ISM: Jets and Outflows - pulsars: individual (B1509-58) - Stars: Neutron - ISM: Supernova Remnants - X-Rays: ISM
Nomenclature:
Fig.2: [GAK2002] RCW 89 A (Nos A-F). Fig.5: [GAK2002] PSR 1509+58 N (Nos 1-6).
Simbad objects:
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