Title of article :
Deep optical observations of the fields of two nearby millisecond pulsars with the VLT
Author/Authors :
Quintana، H. نويسنده , , Minniti، D. نويسنده , , Sutaria، F. K. نويسنده , , Ray، A. نويسنده , , Reisenegger، A. نويسنده , , Hertling، G. نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
روزنامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2003
Pages :
-244
From page :
245
To page :
0
Abstract :
We report on deep VLT observations of the fields of two nearby, isolated millisecond pulsars, PSR J1744-1134 and PSR J1024-0719. Both objects are old neutron stars with characteristic age (tau)>=10^9 yr and have relatively high spin-down flux. They have been detected earlier as X-ray sources by ROSAT HRI observations and were considered good candidates for non-thermal emission in the optical bands. Our observations set an upper limit of B=26.9, V=26.3 and R=26.0 for PSR J1744-1134. In the case of PSR J1024-0719, we find two faint objects near the radio position of the pulsar. Using multi-band photometry from the VLT and spectroscopy carried out with the Magellan I telescope, we discuss the nature of the brighter object and the possibility of the fainter one being the optical counterpart of PSR J1024-0719. We consider the implications of our findings for both pulsars in the context of theoretical models of high-energy emission from old pulsars.
Keywords :
stars: neutron , pulsars: general , radiation mechanisms: non-thermal , radiation mechanisms: thermal , pulsars: individual: PSR J1024-0719 PSR J1744-1134
Journal title :
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Serial Year :
2003
Journal title :
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Record number :
76843
Link To Document :
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