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Interaction between high-velocity pulsar in CTB80 and an infrared emission shell

Nature volume 334, pages 229–231 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Possessing an unusual and highly asymmetric radio structure, CTB80 has been classified as a supernova remnant (SNR) with properties resembling those of the Crab Nebula1–3. This interpretation is supported by the presence of a compact X-ray4 and radio5 source, now known to be a 39.5 ms pulsar6,7, lying near the western edge of CTB8O's bright central 'core'. During a survey of infrared emission detected by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite from shock heated dust associated with Galactic SNRs, we discovered a roughly 1° diameter supernova remnant shell centred 30' east of CTB8O's core. The pulsar's projected location inside this infrared emission shell, together with similar distance and age estimates, suggest that both the shell and pulsar were produced by the same supernova event. We propose that the interaction between the pulsar's energetic particle emission and the shell's compressed interstellar magnetic field can explain CTB8O's remarkable ratio structure, and we discuss the implications of such pulsar/SNR interactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA

    Robert A. Fesen, J. Michael Shull & Jon M. Saken

  2. Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, University of Colorado and National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA

    J. Michael Shull

Authors
  1. Robert A. Fesen
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  2. J. Michael Shull
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  3. Jon M. Saken
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Fesen, R., Shull, J. & Saken, J. Interaction between high-velocity pulsar in CTB80 and an infrared emission shell. Nature 334, 229–231 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/334229a0

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