Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-02-03
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
6 pages, to be published in Proceedings of the Conference "Polarimetry days in Rome: Crab status, theory and prospects", held
Scientific paper
Polarisation measurements of pulsars and of their pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are uniquely able to provide deep insights into the highly magnetised relativistic environment of young, rotation-powered isolated neutron stars (INSs). Besides the radio band, optical observations are primarily suited to providing such insights. The first INS for which optical polarisation observations were performed is the Crab pulsar which is also the brightest one (V=16.5). For this reason, the Crab pulsar is also the only INS for which repeated, phase-resolved polarisation measurements have been performed through the years. Moreover, it is the only case, together with the much fainter and distant PSR B0540-69 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), of an optical pulsar embedded in an optical PWN. Thus, the Crab is a perfect test case to study the optical polarisation properties of pulsars and of their PWNe. In this paper, we review the polarisation properties of the Crab pulsar and of its PWN in the optical and ultraviolet domains, we summarise the state of the art of the polarisation observations of other INSs, and we outline perspectives for INS polarisation studies with present and future generations of optical telescopes
No associations
LandOfFree
The Crab optical and ultraviolet polarimetry 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 The Crab optical and ultraviolet polarimetry, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Crab optical and ultraviolet polarimetry will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-553009