SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 62062
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
550 WEST 120TH STREET
NEW YORK
NY USA 10027
Tel: (212) 854-2554 Fax: (212) 854-8121
Medium: 2GB8MM
Subject: SUPERNOVA REMNANTS AND GALACTIC DIFFUSE EMISSION
THE MILLISECOND PULSAR J0437-4715: THERMAL OR NONTHERMAL?
ABSTRACT
PSR J0437-47 is the nearest millisecond pulsar, and the only one that can be studied well in X-rays. The leading interpretation of its spectrum and energy-dependent pulse shape involves thermal emission from heated polar caps emitting as a weakly magnetized neutron star atmosphere. Fundamental parameters such as M/R can be derived if this interpretation is correct. ASCA can confirm this model with its good spectral resolution and high-energy response. Previous short ASCA pointings at this pulsar were compromised by poor choice of observing modes, and failure to take into account the presence of a neighboring Seyfert galaxy. We will remedy this oversight with a new observation of PSR J0437-47 that can provide a good spectrum and pulse profile. The Seyfert galaxy will also be studied.
CO-INVESTIGATORS
| CO-I NAME | INSTITUTE | COUNTRY |
|---|
| GEORGE PAVLOV | PENN STATE U. | USA |
| VYATCHESLAV ZAVLIN | MPE-GARCHING | GERMANY |
| FRANK WANG | COLUMBIA U. | USA |
TARGETS
| TARGET NAME | PRI | RA | DEC | TIME | TC | OFF | GIS | SIS CNT | OBS |
|---|
| 1)PSR J0437-4715 | 1 | 69.3154 | -47.2522 | 120 ks | Y | N | P | 0.30000 | 1 |
TARGET 1
ROLL ANGLE CONSTRAINT TO BE DETERMINED IN CONSULTATION WITH ISAS. TARGET IS VISIBLE 8.5 MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
COORDINATED OBSERVATION: START: Jun 28,1998 at 00STOP: Nov 7,1998 at 00