Optical pulsar
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Astronomical object
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An optical pulsar is a pulsar which can be detected in the visible spectrum. There are very few of these known: the Crab Pulsar was detected by stroboscopic techniques in 1969,[1] [2] shortly after its discovery in radio waves, at the Steward Observatory. The Vela Pulsar was detected in 1977 at the Anglo-Australian Observatory, and was the faintest star ever imaged at that time.
As of 2018,[update] there are 13 recognized optical pulsars:[3] [4] [5]
| Name of pulsar | Magnitude (B) |
|---|---|
| Crab Pulsar (CM Tauri, PSR B0531+21) | 16.5 |
| Vela Pulsar | 24 |
| PSR B0540-69 (in the Large Magellanic Cloud) | 23 |
| PSR B0656+14 | 26 |
| PSR B0633+17 (Geminga) | 25.5 |
| PSR B1509-58 (*) | 25.7 |
| PSR J1023+0038 | 22 |
| PSR B1055−52 | 24.9 |
| PSR B1929+10 | 25.6 |
| PSR B1133+16 | 28 |
| PSR B0950+08 | 27.1 |
| PSR J0108−1431 | 26.4 |
| PSR J0437−4715 | 20.98±0.09 |
| *Source included but not discussed in paper by source paper. | |
References
[edit ]- ^ Cocke, W. J.; Disney, M. J.; TaylorR, D. J. (February 1969). "Discovery of Optical Signals from Pulsar NP 0532". Nature. 221 (5180): 525–527. Bibcode:1969Natur.221..525C. doi:10.1038/221525a0. S2CID 4296580.
- ^ Nather, R. E.; Warner, B.; MacFarlane, M. (February 1969). "Optical Pulsations in the Crab Nebula Pulsar". Nature. 221 (5180): 527–529. Bibcode:1969Natur.221..527N. doi:10.1038/221527a0. S2CID 4295264.
- ^ Shearer, A.; Golden, A. (2022). "Why study pulsars optically?". Proceedings of the 270. WE-Heraeus Seminar on Neutron Stars, Pulsars, and Supernova Remnants. MPE Report 278. Bibcode:2002nsps.conf...44S, arxiv
- ^ Shearer, Andrew; Connor, Eoin O’ (June 2018). "Optical pulsars and polarimetry". Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 13 (S337): 191–194. Bibcode:2018IAUS..337..191S. doi:10.1017/S174392131700998X. ISSN 1743-9213 – via Astrophysics Data Service.
- ^ Bell, J. F.; Bailes, M.; Bessell, M. S. (August 1993). "Optical detection of the companion of the millisecond pulsar J0437-4715". Nature. 364 (6438): 603–605. Bibcode:1993Natur.364..603B. doi:10.1038/364603a0. ISSN 0028-0836.
External links
[edit ]- "A Pulsar Discovery: First Optical Pulsar." Moments of Discovery, American Institute of Physics, 2007 (Includes audio and teachers guides).
