Infrared and optical imagery of the Crab Nebula

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168941· OSTI ID:6598242

Hester, J J; Beichman, C A; Gautier, III, T N; Graham, J R ^[1]

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1. JPL, Pasadena, CA (USA) California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (USA)

The paper presents 1.644 micron forbidden-line Fe II and 1.570 micron continuum images of the Crab Nebula which are compared with optical H-alpha, forbidden-line O III, and 5100 A continuum data. While the same prominent filaments are generally apparent in all lines, no substantial variations within the nebula in the strength and morphology of forbidden-line Fe II relative to the other lines are found. The infrared to optical continuum ratio of the synchrotron nebula shows 15 - 20 percent variations which are dominated by features which appear related to the position of the pulsar. These are interpreted as variations of 0.15 in the spectral index and it is suggested that they are related to the radiative decay of energetic particles and the paths over which these particles travel from the pulsar throughout the nebula. 39 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6598242
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 357; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• 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
BALMER LINES
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
IMAGES
INFRARED RADIATION
IONS
MORPHOLOGY
PULSARS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
VARIATIONS
VISIBLE RADIATION