Acceleration of pulsars by asymmetric radiation. III. Observational evidence

Journal Article · Wed Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/155318· OSTI ID:7097919

Tademaru, E

The theory of pulsar acceleration by asymmetric radiation predicts that the pulsar velocities ought to be aligned parallel to their spin axes. Assuming that the orientation of the pulsar spin axis in the plane of the sky is determined by the position angle of polarization, this prediction is tested by a comparison of polarization position angles and velocity position angles determined by proper motion measurements for 10 pulsars. Allowing for an ambiguity of 90degree in the angle between the polarization position angle and the projection of the spin axis in the sky which is suggested by single-pulse observations, the data are in excellent agreement with a parallel alignment of velocity and spin axis. The data are not generally in agreement with the angle differences between velocity and spin axis in space having a random distribution or being preferentially near 90degree unless the spin axes are also preferentially in the plane of the sky.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astromomy, University of Massachusetts
• OSTI ID: 7097919
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 214:3; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
ACCELERATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
CRAB NEBULA
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MOTION
NEBULAE
POLARIZATION
PROPER MOTION
PULSARS
STELLAR RADIATION
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS