HST/FOC observations confirm the presence of a spectral feature in the optical spectrum of Geminga

Details HST/FOC observations confirm the presence of a spectral feature in the optical spectrum of Geminga HST/FOC observations confirm the presence of a spectral feature in the optical spectrum of Geminga

1998-02-12

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9802158v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

4 pages, 1 latex figure included, Accepted for publication on Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters

Scientific paper

New optical and near-UV HST observations of Geminga are presented. When compared with previous ground-based and HST imaging, the data confirm and better define the presence of an emission feature centered at 6,000 Angstrom and superimposed on the thermal continuum best fitting the extreme-UV/soft X-ray data. This feature may be interpreted in terms of cyclotron emission originated from a mixture of H/He ions in the neutron star's atmosphere. In the case of pure Hydrogen, the feature wavelength would imply a magnetic field of order 3-5 10d11 G, consistent with the value deduced from the dynamical parameters of the pulsar. If due to a cyclotron emission, the observation of this feature would represent the first case of an in situ measurement of the surface magnetic field of an isolated neutron star.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

HST/FOC observations confirm the presence of a spectral feature in the optical spectrum of Geminga 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 HST/FOC observations confirm the presence of a spectral feature in the optical spectrum of Geminga, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HST/FOC observations confirm the presence of a spectral feature in the optical spectrum of Geminga will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-59903