Structure of relativistic shocks in pulsar winds: A model of the wisps in the Crab Nebula

Details Structure of relativistic shocks in pulsar winds: A model of the wisps in the Crab Nebula Structure of relativistic shocks in pulsar winds: A model of the wisps in the Crab Nebula

Nov 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994apj...435..230g&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 435, no. 1, p. 230-260

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

131

Astronomical Models, Crab Nebula, Interstellar Matter, Plasma Acceleration, Pulsars, Relativistic Plasmas, Shock Waves, Stellar Winds, Interstellar Magnetic Fields, Mathematical Models, Solitary Waves, Toroidal Plasmas

Scientific paper

We propose a model of a optical 'wisps' of the Crab Nebula, features observed in the nebular synchrotron surface brightness near the central pulsar, as manifestations of the internal structure of the shock terminating the pulsar wind. We assume that this wind is composed of ions and a much denser plasma of electrons and positrons, frozen together to a toroidal magnetic field and flowing relativistically. We construct a form of solitary wave model of the shock structure in which we self-consistently solve for the ion orbits and the dynamics of the relativistically hot, magnetized e(+/-) background flow. We ignore dispersion in the ion energies, and we treat the pairs as an adiabatic fluid. The synchrotron emission enhancements, observed as the wisps, are then explained as the regions where reflection of the ions in the self-consistent magnetic field causes compressions of the e(+/-).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Structure of relativistic shocks in pulsar winds: A model of the wisps in the Crab Nebula 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 Structure of relativistic shocks in pulsar winds: A model of the wisps in the Crab Nebula, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Structure of relativistic shocks in pulsar winds: A model of the wisps in the Crab Nebula will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1021926