Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-03-18
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
8 pages, 4 embedded EPS figures, uses ws-procs9x6.cls. To appear in proceddings of "Texas in Tuscany" (XXI Symposium on Relati
Scientific paper
A typical young pulsar slows down at an imperceptible rate, its spin period increasing by less than 10 microseconds over the course of a year. However, the inertia of a pulsar is so extreme that to effect this tiny change in rotation rate, the star must dissipate about 10^46 ergs of kinetic energy. Observations of pulsars and their surroundings demonstrate that this ``spin-down energy'' is expelled into the pulsar's surroundings in spectacular fashion, in the form of a relativistic wind of charged particles and magnetic fields. In this review I highlight some recent observational results on pulsar winds at radio, X-ray and optical wavelengths, and explain what we can learn from these data about shock structure, particle acceleration and the interstellar medium.
No associations
LandOfFree
Shocks, Outflows and Bubbles: New Views on Pulsars and their Winds 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 Shocks, Outflows and Bubbles: New Views on Pulsars and their Winds, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shocks, Outflows and Bubbles: New Views on Pulsars and their Winds will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-17892