We have discovered an infrared (IR) bow shock near PSR J1549-4848. Detailedstudies of it indicate that its IR emission is likely thermal, arising fromheated dust in the ISM, and suggest its possible association with the pulsar. Ifthe association is confirmed, this bow shock would represent a type of pulsarwind interaction with the ISM that has never before been seen. In order toverify the association, we propose XMM-Newton imaging of the shock region,aiming to detect a pulsar wind nebula that possibly extends from the pulsar tothe bow shock.s head region. A tail-like nebula trailing the pulsar.sproper-motion direction may also be detectable; if it is aligned with thedirection of the bow shock, the detection will help establish the association as well.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-09-03T19:17:50Z/2014-09-04T21:47:50Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Prof Zhongxiang Wang, 2015, 'Confirming The First Infrared Bow Shock Driven by A Pulsar', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-cgdjvkw
