PSR J0437-4715
The 5.75 ms pulsar PSR J0437-4715 is the nearest and brightest
millisecond pulsar known. It is part of a binary system with an
orbital period of 5.5 days and has a low-mass white dwarf companion.
X-ray emission from the pulsar was first detected in the ROSAT
All-Sky Survey data by Becker et.al. (1993). The picture shown is based
on survey data, and documents the discovery. The X-rays detected
from the pulsar are about 30% pulsed. The soft X-ray spectrum is
a power-law, indicating a magnetospheric origin of the
detected emission. The brightest source in the picture, north-east
of the pulsar, is an active galaxy. For further information see
Becker & Trümper (1993, Nature, 365, 528) or contact W. Becker
for update information on the X-ray emission properties of millisecond
pulsars.
Get the high resolution (300 dpi) TIFF format version.
Curator:
HEASARC Guest Observer Facility
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