|
Joint Astrophysics ColloquiumSpecial Astrophysics SeminarThe Birth Properties of Radio PulsarsZaven ArzoumanianUSRA/NASA-GSFCI present the methodology and results of an ambitious population simulation of Galactic neutron stars that accounts for all of the selection effects involved in surveys for radio pulsars. Our effort includes, for the first time, astrophysically well-motivated treatment of pulsar beaming and luminosities. The primary result is for the velocity distribution of neutron stars at birth: we show that large velocity "kicks" are required in at least half of the population, with a similar fraction escaping the Galactic gravitational potential. Our results have important implications for assessing proposed associations of young neutron stars (including perhaps SGRs and AXPs) with host remnants, accretion of interstellar gas by old neutron stars, the prevalence of bow-shock structures, and for the birth and merger rates of close compact binaries.
Friday, June 20th 2003, 12:00
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, room 305 |