Rapid X-Ray Variations of the Geminga Pulsar Wind Nebula
- Department of Astronomy and Space Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134 (Korea, Republic of)
- Institute of Astronomy and Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan (China)
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275 (China)
- Institute of Particle Physics and Astronomy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan (China)
- Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road (Hong Kong)
- Department of Physics, UNIST, Ulsan 44919 (Korea, Republic of)
A recent study by Posselt et al. reported the deepest X-ray investigation of the Geminga pulsar wind nebula (PWN) by using Chandra X-ray Observatory . In comparison with previous studies of this system, a number of new findings have been reported, and we found that these suggest the possible variabilities in various components of this PWN. This motivates us to carry out a dedicated search for the morphological and spectral variations of this complex nebula. We have discovered variabilities on timescales from a few days to a few months from different components of the nebula. The fastest change occurred in the circumstellar environment at a rate of 80% of the speed of light. One of the most spectacular results is the wiggling of a half light-year long tail as an extension of the jet, which is significantly bent by the ram pressure. The jet wiggling occurred at a rate of about 20% of the speed of light. This twisted structure could possibly be a result of a propagating torsional Alfv́en wave. We have also found evidence of spectral hardening along this tail for a period of about nine months.
- OSTI ID:
- 22679870
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 846, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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