A pulsar wind nebula in the oxygen-rich supernova remnant G292.0+ 1.8

John P. Hughes, Patrick O. Slane, David N. Burrows, Gordon Garmire, John A. Nousek, C. M. Olbert, J. W. Keohane

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Abstract

Using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, we have discovered a diffuse, center-filled region of hard X-ray emission within the young, oxygen-rich supernova remnant (SNR) G292.0+ 1.8. Near the peak of this diffuse emission lies a pointlike source of X-ray emission that is well described by an absorbed power-law spectrum with photon index 1.72 ± 0.09. This source appears to be marginally extended; its extent of 1″.3 (FWHM) is greater than that of a nearby serendipitous X-ray source with FWHM = 1″.1. This is strong evidence for the presence within SNR G292.0+ 1.8 of a young rapidly rotating pulsar and its associated pulsar wind nebula. Both the X-ray and radio luminosity of the pulsar wind nebula imply a spin-down energy-loss rate of Ė ∼ 1037 ergs s-1 for the still undetected pulsar. The pulsar candidate is 0′.9 from the geometric center of the SNR, which implies a transverse velocity of ∼770(D/4.8 kpc)(t/1600 yr)-1 km s-1 assuming currently accepted values for the distance and age of G292.0+1.8.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L153-L156
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume559
Issue number2 PART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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