Published in

American Astronomical Society, Astrophysical Journal, 1(542), p. L49-L52, 2000

DOI: 10.1086/312910

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Detection of a Compact X-ray Source in the Supernova Remnant G29.6+0.1: A Variable Anomalous X-ray Pulsar?

Journal article published in 2000 by G. Vasisht, E. V. Gotthelf ORCID, K. Torii, B. M. Gaensler ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Red circle
Preprint: archiving forbidden
Red circle
Postprint: archiving forbidden
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

We present follow-up observations of the serendipitously discovered 7-s X-ray pulsar AX J1845-0258, which displays characteristics similar to those observed in the anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs). We find a dramatic reduction in its 3-10 keV flux in both new ASCA and RXTE datasets. Within the pulsar's position-error locus, we detect a faint point source, AX J184453-025640, surrounded by an arc of diffuse X-ray emission. This arc is coincident with the South-East quadrant of the radio shell of the newly discovered supernova remnant G29.6+0.1, reported in our companion paper (Gaensler et al. 1999). Lack of sufficient flux from the source prevents us from confirming the 7-s pulsed emission observed in the bright state; hence, at present we cannot definitively resolve whether AX J1845-0258 and AX J184453-025640 are one and the same. If they are the same, then the peak-to-peak luminosity changes recorded for AX J1845-0258 may be larger than seen in other AXPs; closer monitoring of this pulsar might lead to a resolution on the mechanism that drives AXPs. ; Comment: 5 pages with 2 figures, LaTex, emulateapj.sty. To appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters