14,291 research outputs found
Resolving the bow-shock nebula around the old pulsar PSR B1929+10 with multi-epoch Chandra observations
We have studied the nearby old pulsar PSR B1929+10 and its surrounding
interstellar medium utilizing the sub-arcsecond angular resolution of the
Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Chandra data are found to be fully consistent
with the results obtained from deep XMM-Newton observations as far as the
pulsar is concerned. We confirm the non-thermal emission nature of the pulsar's
X-radiation. In addition to the X-ray trail already seen in previous
observations by the ROSAT and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories, we discovered an
arc-like nebula surrounding the pulsar. We interpret the feature as a bow-shock
nebula and discuss its energetics in the context of standard shock theory.Comment: Accepted by A&A, revised in accordance with referee's comment
Discovery of an X-ray Nebula associated with PSR J2124-3358
We report the discovery of an X-ray nebula associated with the nearby
millisecond pulsar PSR J2124-3358. This is the first time that extended
emission from a solitary millisecond pulsar is detected. The emission extends
from the pulsar to the northwest by ~ 0.5 arcmin. The spectrum of the nebular
emission can be modeled by a power law spectrum with photon index of 2.2
+/-0.4. This is inline with the emission being originated from accelerated
particles in the post shock flow.Comment: roceedings of the 363. WE-Heraeus Seminar on: Neutron Stars and
Pulsars (Posters and contributed talks) Physikzentrum Bad Honnef, Germany,
May.14-19, 2006, eds. W.Becker, H.H.Huang, MPE Report 291, pp.13-1
Radio and X-ray nebulae associated with PSR J1509-5850
We have discovered a long radio trail at 843 MHz which is apparently
associated with middle age pulsar PSR J1509-5850. The radio trail has a length
of ~7 arcmin. In X-rays, Chandra observations of PSR J1509-5850 reveal an
associated X-ray trail which extends in the same orientation as the radio
trail. Moreover, two clumpy structures are observed along the radio trail. The
larger one is proposed to be the supernova remnant (SNR) candidate MSC
319.9-0.7. Faint X-ray enhancement at the position of the SNR candidate is
found in the Chandra data.Comment: Accepted by A&A, 5 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl
The Forecasting Capacity of Housing Price Expectations
This study captures the essential elements of the price expectations of market participants in a rising market. Adopting a forward-looking approach, this paper explores the effectiveness of expectations as an indicator of forthcoming housing price changes in Hong Kong. Examination of the quarterly survey data from December 2003 to September 2007 indicates that both homeowners and non-homeowners tend to overestimate the probability of future housing price increases yet underestimate its volatility. This adds weight to the argument that market participants are generally not rational in the prediction of price movement. Homeowners, investors and potential home buyers have more or less the same level of confidence about the future market outlook. Like non-owners, they expect higher prices. The number of correct forecasts exceeds incorrect forecasts, suggesting that overall price expectations are fairly close to realization. It can be broadly concluded that the aggregate price expectations in the long run can be an appropriate forecasting tool for future market performance.Price expectations; Forecastability; Housing market; Hong Kong
Multiwavelength properties of a new Geminga-like pulsar: PSR J2021+4026
In this paper, we report a detailed investigation of the multiwavelength
properties of a newly detected gamma-ray pulsar, PSR J2021+4026, in both
observational and theoretical aspects. We firstly identify an X-ray source in
the XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue, 2XMM J202131.0+402645, located
within the 95% confidence circle of PSR J2021+4026. With an archival Chandra
observation, this identification provides an X-ray position with arcsecond
accuracy which is helpful in facilitating further investigations. Searching for
the pulsed radio emission at the position of 2XMM J202131.0+402645 with a 25-m
telescope at Urumqi Astronomical Observatory resulted in null detection and
places an upper-limit of 0.1~mJy for any pulsed signal at 18~cm. Together with
the emission properties in X-ray and gamma-ray, the radio quietness suggests
PSR J2021+4026 to be another member of Geminga-like pulsars. In the radio sky
survey data, extended emission features have been identified in the gamma-ray
error circle of PSR J2021+4026. We have also re-analyzed the gamma-ray data
collected by FERMI's Large Area Telescope. We found that the X-ray position of
2XMM J202131.0+402645 is consistent with that of the optimal gamma-ray timing
solution. We have further modeled the results in the context of outer gap model
which provides us with constraints for the pulsar emission geometry such as
magnetic inclination angle and the viewing angle. We have also discussed the
possibility of whether PSR J2021+4026 has any physical association with the
supernova remnant G78.2+2.1 (gamma-Cygni).Comment: 11 pages, 14 figure
Gamma-ray emission from globular clusters
Over the last few years, the data obtained using the Large Area Telescope
(LAT) aboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has provided new insights on
high-energy processes in globular clusters, particularly those involving
compact objects such as Millisecond Pulsars (MSPs). Gamma-ray emission in the
100 MeV to 10 GeV range has been detected from more than a dozen globular
clusters in our galaxy, including 47 Tucanae and Terzan 5. Based on a sample of
known gamma-ray globular clusters, the empirical relations between gamma-ray
luminosity and properties of globular clusters such as their stellar encounter
rate, metallicity, and possible optical and infrared photon energy densities,
have been derived. The measured gamma-ray spectra are generally described by a
power law with a cut-off at a few gigaelectronvolts. Together with the
detection of pulsed gamma-rays from two MSPs in two different globular
clusters, such spectral signature lends support to the hypothesis that
gamma-rays from globular clusters represent collective curvature emission from
magnetospheres of MSPs in the clusters. Alternative models, involving
Inverse-Compton (IC) emission of relativistic electrons that are accelerated
close to MSPs or pulsar wind nebula shocks, have also been suggested.
Observations at >100 GeV by using Fermi/LAT and atmospheric Cherenkov
telescopes such as H.E.S.S.-II, MAGIC-II, VERITAS, and CTA will help to settle
some questions unanswered by current data.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, J. Astron. Space Sci., in pres
- …