Smothered pulsars and the central radio sources in M81, M82, and the Galaxy

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (1) References (20) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Smothered Pulsars and the Central Radio Sources in M81, M82, and the Galaxy Engelke, Charles W. Abstract A model is proposed which furnishes a non-black hole based explanation of the Galactic center compact source and the similar sources at the cores of M81 and M82. It provides a demonstration that a normal young pulsar, like that which powers the Crab Nebula, is sufficient to power each of these sources. The abnormal characteristics of the sources (high power, small size, high spectral turnover frequency and lack of rapid expansion) are ascribed to the abnormal conditions found near a galactic core. Specifically, it is shown that if a point source of relativistic particles, such as a pulsar, moves through a dense, turbulent gas cloud, such as might exist near the dynamical center of a galaxy, the synchrotron emission from its vicinity has the same unusual features observed. Differences in the characteristics of the three sources considered are easily matched by adjusting only one parameter of the model, the density of the gas. In addition, unique features of the galactic center observed in other wave bands, such as the annihilation gamma line with its puzzling rapid decrease, find natural explanations in the framework of the smothered pulsar model. Certain predictions of the model should be experimentally testable in the near future. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1988 DOI: 10.1086/165991 Bibcode: 1988ApJ...325..153E Keywords: Galactic Nuclei; Irregular Galaxies; Milky Way Galaxy; Pulsars; Radio Sources (Astronomy); Spiral Galaxies; Gamma Ray Astronomy; Gas Ionization; Pair Production; Relativistic Electron Beams; Synchrotron Radiation; Very Large Array (Vla); Astrophysics; GALAXIES: NUCLEI; PULSARS; RADIO SOURCES: GENERAL full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (2) NED (2)