Pulsars today

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Sky and Telescope; (USA)

OSTI ID:6440217

Graham-Smith, F ^[1]

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1. Manchester Victoria Univ. (England)

The theory concerning pulsars is reviewed, with particular attention to possible evolution, life cycle, and rejuvenation of these bodies. Quantum liquids, such as neutron superfluids, and evidence for the existence of superfluid vortices and other internal phenomena are considered with particular attention to the Crab pulsar. Rate of change of the rotation rate is measured and analyzed for the Crab pulsar and the implications of deviations in the pulse times from those of a perfect rotator are examined. Glitches, the sudden increase in rotation rate of a pulsar that has previously exhibited a steady slowdown, are discussed and it is suggested that the movement of the superfluid core relative to the crust is responsible for this phenomenon. It is noted that radio waves from pulsars can be used to determine the intensity and structure of interplanetary and interstellar gas turbulence and to provide a direct measure of the strength of the interstellar magnetic field.

• OSTI ID: 6440217
• Journal Information: Sky and Telescope; (USA), Journal Name: Sky and Telescope; (USA) Vol. 80; ISSN SKTEA; ISSN 0037-6604
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
CRAB NEBULA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY STORAGE
FLUIDS
GASES
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONIZED GASES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOTION
NEBULAE
NEUTRON STARS
PULSARS
QUANTUM FLUIDS
RADIATIONS
ROTATION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STORAGE
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS