The Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope discovers the Pulsar in the Young Galactic Supernova-Remnant CTA 1

Journal Article · Fri May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Science 322:1218,2008

OSTI ID:952977

Abdo, Aous A; Ackermann, M; Atwood, W B; Baldini, L; Ballet, J; Barbiellini, G; Baring, M G; Bastieri, Denis; Baughman, B M; Bechtol, K; Bellazzini, R; Berenji, B; Blandford, R D; Bloom, Elliott D; Bogaert, G; Bonamente, E; Borgland, A W; Bregeon, J; Brez, A; Brigida, M ; Bruel, P

Energetic young pulsars and expanding blast waves (supernova remnants, SNRs) are the most visible remains after massive stars, ending their lives, explode in core-collapse supernovae. The Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope has unveiled a radio quiet pulsar located near the center of the compact synchrotron nebula inside the supernova remnant CTA 1. The pulsar, discovered through its gamma-ray pulsations, has a period of 316.86 ms, a period derivative of 3.614 x 10{sup -13} s s{sup -1}. Its characteristic age of 10{sup 4} years is comparable to that estimated for the SNR. It is conjectured that most unidentified Galactic gamma ray sources associated with star-forming regions and SNRs are such young pulsars.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 952977
• Report Number(s): SLAC-PUB-13626; SCEHDK; arXiv:0810.3562; TRN: US0902630
• Journal Information: Science 322:1218,2008, Vol. 322; ISSN 0193-4511
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
PULSARS
PULSATIONS
STARS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SUPERNOVAE
SYNCHROTRONS
TELESCOPES
Astrophysics
OTHER