3 research outputs found
Optical spectroscopy of the radio pulsar PSR B0656+14
We have obtained the spectrum of a middle-aged PSR B0656+14 in the 4300-9000
AA range with the ESO/VLT/FORS2. Preliminary results show that at 4600-7000 AA
the spectrum is almost featureless and flat with a spectral index $\alpha_nu ~
-0.2 that undergoes a change to a positive value at longer wavelengths.
Combining with available multiwavelength data suggests two wide, red and blue,
flux depressions whose frequency ratio is about 2 and which could be the 1st
and 2nd harmonics of electron/positron cyclotron absorption formed at magnetic
fields ~10^8G in upper magnetosphere of the pulsar.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, To appear in Astrophysics and Space Science,
Proceedings of "Isolated Neutron Stars: from the Interior to the Surface",
eds. D. Page, R. Turolla and S. Zan
UV emission from young and middle-aged pulsars: Connecting X-rays with the optical
We present the UV spectroscopy and timing of three nearby pulsars (Vela,
B0656+14 and Geminga) recently observed with the Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph. We also review the optical and X-ray properties of these pulsars
and establish their connection with the UV properties. We show that the
multiwavelengths properties of neutron stars (NSs) vary significantly within
the sample of middle-aged pulsars. Even larger differences are found between
the thermal components of Ge-minga and B0656+14 as compared to those of
radio-quiet isolated NSs. These differences could be attributed to different
properties of the NS surface layers.Comment: To appear in Astrophysics and Space Science, Proceedings of "Isolated
Neutron Stars: from the Interior to the Surface", eds. D. Page, R. Turolla
and S. Zane; 10 pages, 4 figures, 3 table