Resumen
We report on deep VLT observations of the fields of two nearby, isolated millisecond pulsars, PSR J1744-1134 and PSR J1024-0719. Both objects are old neutron stars with characteristic age τ ≥109 yr and have relatively high spin-down flux. They have been detected earlier as X-ray sources by ROSAT HRI observations and were considered good candidates for non-thermal emission in the optical bands. Our observations set an upper limit of B = 26.9, V = 26.3 and R = 26.0 for PSR J1744-1134. In the case of PSR J1024-0719, we find two faint objects near the radio position of the pulsar. Using multiband photometry from the VLT and spectroscopy carried out with the Magellan I telescope, we discuss the nature of the brighter object and the possibility of the fainter one being the optical counterpart of PSR J1024-0719. We consider the implications of our findings for both pulsars in the context of theoretical models of high-energy emission from old pulsars.
Idioma original | Inglés |
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Páginas (desde-hasta) | 245-252 |
Número de páginas | 8 |
Publicación | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Volumen | 406 |
N.º | 1 |
DOI | |
Estado | Publicada - jul. 2003 |
Áreas temáticas de ASJC Scopus
- Astronomía y astrofísica
- Ciencias planetarias y espacial