D A Zyuzin

A likely optical counterpart of the G292.0+1.8 pulsar wind nebula

Context. G292.0+1.8 is a Cas A-like supernova remnant containing the young pulsar PSR J1124-5916, which powers a compact torus-like pulsar wind nebula with a jet visible in X-rays. Aims. We have performed deep optical observations of the pulsar field to detect the optical counterpart of the pulsar and its nebula. Methods. The observations were carried out using the direct imaging mode of FORS2 at the ESO VLT/UT1 telescope in the V, R, and I bands. We also analyzed archival images obtained with the Chandra/ACIS-I, ACIS-S, and HRC-S in X-rays. Results. In all three optical bands we detect a faint elliptical nebulosity whose brightness peak and center position are consistent at a sub-arcsecond level with the X-ray position of the pulsar. The field is densely packed with background stars, but after subtraction of these stars the morphology of the object and the orientation of its major axis appear to be in good agreement with the brightest inner part of the pulsar nebula torus region seen almost edge on in X-rays. Within the nebulosity we do not resolve any point-like optical object that could be identified with the pulsar and estimate its contribution to the observed nebulosity flux as <20%. Extracting the X-ray spectrum from the physical region equivalent to the optical source position and extent and combining that with the measured optical fluxes, we compile a tentative multi-wavelength spectrum of the inner part of the nebula. Within uncertainties of the interstellar extinction towards G292.0+1.8 it is reminiscent of either the Crab or PSR B540-69 and J0205+6449 pulsar wind nebula spectra. Conclusions. The position, morphology, and spectral properties of the detected nebulosity suggest that it is the likely optical counterpart of the pulsar plus its wind nebula system in G292.0+1.8. Higher spatial resolution optical observations and the extension of the broad-band spectrum of the proposed counterpart candidate towards the IR and UV are necessary to confirm its origin.

Spectral evolution and polarization of variable structures in the pulsar wind nebula of PSR B0540-69.3

We present high spatial resolution optical imaging and polarization observations of the PSR B0540-69.3 and its highly dynamical pulsar wind nebula (PWN) performed with Hubble Space Telescope, and c ...

The G292.0+1.8 pulsar wind nebula in the mid-infrared

G292.0+1.8 is a Cas A-like supernova remnant that contains the young pulsar PSR J1124-5916 powering a compact torus-like pulsar wind nebula visible in X-rays. A likely counterpart to the nebula has been detected in the optical VRI bands. To confirm the counterpart candidate nature, we examined archival mid-infrared data obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Broad-band images taken at 4.5, 8, 24, and 70 microns were analyzed and compared with available optical and X-ray data. The extended counterpart candidate is firmly detected in the 4.5 and 8 micron bands. It is brighter and more extended in the bands than in the optical, and its position and morphology agree well with the coordinates and morphology of the torus-like pulsar wind nebula in X-rays. The source is not visible in 24 and 70 micron images, which are dominated by bright emission from the remnant shell and filaments. We compiled the infrared fluxes of the nebula, which probably contains a contribution from an unresolved pulsar in its center, with the optical and X-ray data. The resulting unabsorbed multiwavelength spectrum is described by power laws of significantly steeper slope in the infrared-optical than in X-rays, implying a double-knee spectral break between the optical and X-rays. The 24 and 70 microns flux upper limits suggest a second break and a flatter spectrum at the long wavelength limit. These features are common to two other pulsar wind nebulae associated with the remnants B0540-69.3 and 3C 58 and observed in all three ranges. The position, morphology, and spectral properties of the detected source allow us to comfirm that it is the infrared-optical counterpart to both the pulsar and its wind nebula system in the G292.0+1.8 supernova remnant.

Near-infrared observations of PSR J1357−6429

PSR J1357

Constraining the parameters of the pulsar wind nebula DA 495 and its pulsar with Chandra and XMM–Newton

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X-ray counterpart candidates for six new γ-ray pulsars

6429 is a young radio pulsar that was detected in X-rays and

Observations of the

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-rays. We present the high spatial resolution near-infrared imaging of the pulsar field in

-ray pulsar J1932+1916 in X-rays

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Optical Identification of the Millisecond Pulsar J0621+2514

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