Speaker
Dr
Geoff Wright
(University of Manchester)
Description
Recent simultaneous radio (LOFAR, Lovell & GMRT) and X-ray observations (ESA’s XMM-Newton) of three old and relatively nearby pulsars (B0943+10, B1822-09, B0823+26) have led to puzzling results. All three are known at radio frequencies to switch intermittently and suddenly between B (‘Bright’) and Q (‘Quiet’) modes with differing strengths and modulation patterns. In each case the X-ray response has been found to be different. In two of the pulsars the X-ray and radio emissions clearly change mode synchronously, while in another no change was detected. The combination of thermal surface emission and non-thermal X-rays (and their switch) was also different in each case. These groundbreaking results clearly indicate that mode-changing is a powerful pan-magnetosphere phenomenon and provide major clues towards understanding its true nature.
Primary author
Dr
Geoff Wright
(University of Manchester)
