Precision measurement of the X-ray polarization of the Crab Nebula without pulsar contamination

Journal Article · Wed Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182648· OSTI ID:7075439

Weisskopf, M C; Silver, E H; Kestenbaum, H L; Long, K S; Novick, R

The linear X-ray polarization of the Crab Nebula has been precisely measured at 2.6 keV and 5.2 keV with the OSO 8 graphite crystal polarimeters. The 1.4 ms time reolution of these instruments permitted the removal of any contribution to the polarization from the pulsar. The nebular polarization is 19.2% +- 1.0% at a position angle of 156/sup 0/.4 +- 1/sup 0/.4 at 2.6 keV. At 5.2 keV the corresponding results are 19.5% +- 2.8% at 152/sup 0/.6 +- 4/sup 0/.0.

• Research Organization: Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory, Columiba University
• OSTI ID: 7075439
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 220:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
CRAB NEBULA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NEBULAE
POLARIMETERS
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
X RADIATION
X-RAY SPECTRA