Multicolor Photometry of the Vela Pulsar
Abstract
Multicolor photometry of the Vela pulsar (PSR B0833-45), updated by recent HST/WFPC2 observations obtained in the 555W, 675W and 814W filters, is presented. The available data provide the best characterization so far of the pulsar spectral shape, which is dominated by a flat power law continuum with spectral index \alpha = -0.2 +/- 0.2, consistent with the extrapolation in the optical domain of the power law component of the X-ray spectrum detected by Chandra. In addition, a marginally significant dip (~ 3 sigma) seems to be present at about 6500 AA. Spectroscopic observations with the VLT, now in progress, will undoubtly provide a much better assessment of the reality and characteristics of this feature.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0107027,
title = {Multicolor Photometry of the Vela Pulsar},
author = {R. P. Mignani and P. A. Caraveo},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0107027},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
4 pages, LaTex, 2 Postscript figures. Astronomy & Astrophysics, accepted