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Optical Observations of Pulsars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

F. Graham Smith
F. Graham Smith*
Affiliation:
Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 1RP, U.K.

Abstract

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Optical identification of radio pulsars has only been achieved for the Crab and Vela Pulsars. The luminosity limits for others could be considerably improved: better astrometry and time-resolved photometry could reach mv = 27. The limits for pulsars with unknown periods, for example in extragalactic nebulae, are usually about mv = 20. The luminosity falls rapidly with increasing period: if it follows a power law the index is minus ten at least.

The optical spectrum of the Crab Pulsar falls toward the infra-red and is flat in the ultra-violet. No self-absorption effect is seen in the infra-red. New observations of the minimum intensity and of the polarisation show a highly linearly polarised component continuing through the whole pulse cycle.

Type
IV. Optical Radiation
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 95: Pulsars , 1981 , pp. 221 - 234
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1981 

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