Chandra Observations of the Young Pulsar PSR B0540-69
Astrophysics
2009-10-31 v1
Abstract
The young pulsar PSR B0540-69 was one of the first targets observed with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The high angular resolution of Chandra allows us to resolve the compact nebula surrounding the pulsar. We have determined a position for PSR B0540-69 of R.A. = 05h 40m 11s.221, decl. = -69o 19' 54".98 (J2000) with a 1-sigma radial uncertainty of 0.7". Combining our measurements of the pulsar period with previous measurements covering a span of 12 years, we derive a braking index of 2.08. The spectrum of the pulsed emission is consistent with a power-law with a photon index of 1.83 +/- 0.13. The compact nebula has a softer spectrum with a photon index of 1.85 to 2.26.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0008388,
title = {Chandra Observations of the Young Pulsar PSR B0540-69},
author = {P. Kaaret and H. L. Marshall and T. L. Aldcroft and D. E. Graessle and M. Karovska and S. S. Murray and A. H. Rots and N. S. Schulz and F. D. Seward},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0008388},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
12 pages, accepted by the Astrophysical Journal