Previous | Session 102 | Next
M. E. Gonzalez, V. M. Kaspi (McGill University), F. Camilo (Columbia University), B. M. Gaensler (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), M. J. Pivovaroff (Lawrence Livermore National Lab)
We present results from an XMM-Newton observation of the high magnetic field radio pulsar PSR J1119-6127. Our analysis shows for the first time X-ray pulsations that are in agreement with the radio period for this pulsar. In addition, the observed pulsed emission characteristics are unusual: a thermal spectrum with blackbody temperature of ~0.2 keV, narrow pulse profile (~0.3P) and very high pulsed fraction that is decreasing with increasing energy (~75% down to <3% in the 0.5-1.5 keV and 3.0-10.0 keV bands, respectively). This combination of emission properties, in addition to a lack of high-energy pulsed emission, is not expected from current models of neutron star emission processes and it is not seen in the X-ray emission of other radio pulsars. It is also intriguing that these unusual characteristics are observed in one of the youngest and highest magnetic field radio pulsars known. We discuss possible origins of this unusual behavior.
We acknowledge support from NSERC, the Canada Research Chair Program, the National Science Foundation and NASA.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: gonzalez@physics.mcgill.ca
Previous | Session 102 | Next
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.