Hard X-ray timing and spectral characteristics of the energetic pulsar PSR J0205+6449 in supernova remnant 3C 58. An RXTE PCA/HEXTE and XMM-Newton view on the 0.5-250 keV band

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

2

Stars: Neutron, Pulsars: General, X-Rays: General, Gamma Rays: General, Radiation Mechanisms: Non-Thermal

Scientific paper

Context. PSR J0205+6449 is a young rotation-powered pulsar in SNR 3C 58. It is one of only three young (<10 000 year old) pulsars that have so far been detected in the radio and the classical X-ray bands, as well as at hard X-rays above 20 keV and at high-energy (>100 MeV) γ-rays. The other two young pulsars are the Crab and PSR B1509-58. Aims: Our aim is to derive the timing and spectral characteristics of PSR J0205+6449 over the broad X-ray band from ~0.5 to ~270 keV. Methods: We used all publicly available RXTE observations of PSR J0205+6449 to first generate accurate ephemerides over the period September 30, 2000-March 18, 2006. We then employed phase-folding procedures yielded pulse profiles using data from RXTE PCA and HEXTE, and XMM-Newton EPIC PN. All profiles were phase aligned with a radio profile derived from the Jodrell Bank Observatory data, and the time-averaged timing and spectral characteristics of the pulsed X-ray emission were derived. Results: Our timing solutions are consistent with earlier results, but we detect sharper structures in the PCA X-ray profile. The X-ray pulse profile consists of two sharp pulses, separated in phase by 0.488 ± 0.002, that can be described by 2 asymmetric Lorentzians, each with the rising wing steeper than the trailing wing, and full-width-half-maximum 1.41 ± 0.05 ms and 2.35 ± 0.22 ms, respectively. For the second, weaker pulse we find an indication of a flux increase by a factor ˜ 2, about 3.5σ above the time-averaged value, over a two-week interval, during which its pulse shape did not change. The spectrum of the pulsed X-ray emission is non-thermal in origin, exhibiting a power-law shape with photon index Γ = 1.03 ± 0.02 over the energy band ~0.5 to ~270 keV. In the energy band covered with the PCA (˜ 3-30 keV), the spectra of the two pulses have the same photon index, namely, 1.04 ± 0.03 and 1.10 ± 0.08, respectively. Comparisons of the detailed timing and spectral characteristics of PSR J0205+6449 in the radio, hard X-ray, and gamma-ray bands with those of the Crab pulsar, PSR B1509-58 and the middle-aged Vela pulsar uncover more differences than similarities.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Hard X-ray timing and spectral characteristics of the energetic pulsar PSR J0205+6449 in supernova remnant 3C 58. An RXTE PCA/HEXTE and XMM-Newton view on the 0.5-250 keV band does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Hard X-ray timing and spectral characteristics of the energetic pulsar PSR J0205+6449 in supernova remnant 3C 58. An RXTE PCA/HEXTE and XMM-Newton view on the 0.5-250 keV band, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hard X-ray timing and spectral characteristics of the energetic pulsar PSR J0205+6449 in supernova remnant 3C 58. An RXTE PCA/HEXTE and XMM-Newton view on the 0.5-250 keV band will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1344123

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.