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The Optical Spectrum of the Geminga PulsarWe obtained an optical spectrum of the isolated pulsar Geminga at the Keck Observatory. The optical object is at the limit of spectroscopic capability of any telescope, with a continuum flux that is approx. 0.5% of the dark sky on Mauna Kea. With particular attention paid to the dominant systematics of sky subtraction in our observing and analysis methods, we attained approx. 0.1% systematics in heavily binned spectra. The resulting spectrum spanning 3700 - 8000 A has a flat power-law shape f(sub nu) proportional to nu(exp -0.8) and a broad dip over 6300 - 6500 A. Thermal radiation cannot explain the optical spectrum of Geminga. The dominant component can be modeled as either electron synchrotron emission and ion (proton) cyclotron absorption, or ion cyclotron emission, the latter in a 10(exp 11) G magnetic field.
Document ID
20010055648
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Martin, Christopher
(Columbia Univ. New York, NY United States)
Halpern, Jules P.
(Columbia Univ. New York, NY United States)
Schiminovich, David
(Columbia Univ. New York, NY United States)
Oliversen, Ronald
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: The New X-Ray/Gamma-Ray Pulsars
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-3229
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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