The magnetic field of the Crab Nebula and the nature of its jet

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185755· OSTI ID:6863934

Bietenholz, M F; Kronberg, P P ^[1]

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1. Toronto Univ. (Canada)

The results of multifrequency, polarimetric VLA observations of the Crab Nebula are presented, which make it possible to correct for Faraday rotation and map the projected magnetic field with 1.8 arcsec resolution. It is found that, along most of the periphery where high sensitivity detects the magnetic field orientation for the first time, the field is aligned radially with an apparent high degree of order. The observed Faraday rotation is constant over most of the Crab and has the same value over the jet, suggesting that, apart from certain filaments and other small areas, it is of interstellar origin. It is concluded that most likely the jet is the result of a high-velocity beam formed inside the nebula. 28 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6863934
• 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
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
CRAB NEBULA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FARADAY EFFECT
IMAGES
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NEBULAE
PHOTOGRAPHY
PLASMA JETS
POLARIMETRY
RADIATIONS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION