Detection of new optical counterpart candidates to PSR B1951+32 with HST/WFPC2

Ray F. Butler; A. Golden; A. Shearer

doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20021013

Detection of new optical counterpart candidates to PSR B1951+32 with HST/WFPC2

Ray F. Butler, A. Golden, A. Shearer

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6 Scopus citations

Abstract

There remain several definitive γ-ray pulsars that are as yet undetected in the optical regime. A classic case is the pulsar PSR B 1951+32, associated with the complex CTB 80 SNR. Previous ground based high speed 2-d optical studies have ruled out candidates to m_v ∼ 24. Hester (2000a) has reported an analysis of archival HST/WFPC2 observations of the CTB 80 complex which suggest a compact synchrotron nebula coincident with the pulsar's radio position. Performing a similar analysis, we have identified a possible optical counterpart within this synchrotron nebula at m_v ∼ 25.5-26, and another optical counterpart candidate nearby at m_v ∼ 24.5. We assess the reality of these counterpart candidates in the context of existing models of pulsar emission.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	845-851
Number of pages	7
Journal	Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume	395
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20021013
State	Published - Dec 2002
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

ISM: individual objects: CTB 80
ISM: supernova remnants
Stars: pulsars: general
Stars: pulsars: individual: PSR B1951+32

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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title = "Detection of new optical counterpart candidates to PSR B1951+32 with HST/WFPC2",

abstract = "There remain several definitive γ-ray pulsars that are as yet undetected in the optical regime. A classic case is the pulsar PSR B 1951+32, associated with the complex CTB 80 SNR. Previous ground based high speed 2-d optical studies have ruled out candidates to mv ∼ 24. Hester (2000a) has reported an analysis of archival HST/WFPC2 observations of the CTB 80 complex which suggest a compact synchrotron nebula coincident with the pulsar's radio position. Performing a similar analysis, we have identified a possible optical counterpart within this synchrotron nebula at mv ∼ 25.5-26, and another optical counterpart candidate nearby at mv ∼ 24.5. We assess the reality of these counterpart candidates in the context of existing models of pulsar emission.",

keywords = "ISM: individual objects: CTB 80, ISM: supernova remnants, Stars: pulsars: general, Stars: pulsars: individual: PSR B1951+32",

author = "Butler, {Ray F.} and A. Golden and A. Shearer",

year = "2002",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1051/0004-6361:20021013",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "395",

pages = "845--851",

journal = "Astronomy and Astrophysics",

issn = "0004-6361",

publisher = "EDP Sciences",

number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Detection of new optical counterpart candidates to PSR B1951+32 with HST/WFPC2

AU - Butler, Ray F.

AU - Golden, A.

AU - Shearer, A.

PY - 2002/12

Y1 - 2002/12

N2 - There remain several definitive γ-ray pulsars that are as yet undetected in the optical regime. A classic case is the pulsar PSR B 1951+32, associated with the complex CTB 80 SNR. Previous ground based high speed 2-d optical studies have ruled out candidates to mv ∼ 24. Hester (2000a) has reported an analysis of archival HST/WFPC2 observations of the CTB 80 complex which suggest a compact synchrotron nebula coincident with the pulsar's radio position. Performing a similar analysis, we have identified a possible optical counterpart within this synchrotron nebula at mv ∼ 25.5-26, and another optical counterpart candidate nearby at mv ∼ 24.5. We assess the reality of these counterpart candidates in the context of existing models of pulsar emission.

AB - There remain several definitive γ-ray pulsars that are as yet undetected in the optical regime. A classic case is the pulsar PSR B 1951+32, associated with the complex CTB 80 SNR. Previous ground based high speed 2-d optical studies have ruled out candidates to mv ∼ 24. Hester (2000a) has reported an analysis of archival HST/WFPC2 observations of the CTB 80 complex which suggest a compact synchrotron nebula coincident with the pulsar's radio position. Performing a similar analysis, we have identified a possible optical counterpart within this synchrotron nebula at mv ∼ 25.5-26, and another optical counterpart candidate nearby at mv ∼ 24.5. We assess the reality of these counterpart candidates in the context of existing models of pulsar emission.

KW - ISM: individual objects: CTB 80

KW - ISM: supernova remnants

KW - Stars: pulsars: general

KW - Stars: pulsars: individual: PSR B1951+32

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U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361:20021013

DO - 10.1051/0004-6361:20021013

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:0036894804

SN - 0004-6361

VL - 395

SP - 845

EP - 851

JO - Astronomy and Astrophysics

JF - Astronomy and Astrophysics

IS - 3

ER -

Detection of new optical counterpart candidates to PSR B1951+32 with HST/WFPC2

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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