An X-ray study of cosmic ray electrons and positrons from pulsar wind nebulae

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24740167
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Particle/Nuclear/Cosmic ray/Astro physics
• Research Institution: University of Miyazaki
• Principal Investigator: MORI KOJI 宮崎大学, 工学部, 准教授 (00404393)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: パルサー星雲 / 宇宙線電子陽電子 / 超新星残骸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are known as cosmic electron-positron accelerators. However, it has been unclear how the accelerated electrons and positrons escape from the pulsar and diffuse into surrounding space. Since such high energy particles emit X-ray, X-ray observation is the best probe to tackle this issue. In this study, we performed X-ray observations of the Vela PWN, which is the nearest to us. We found that there is a yet unknown component prevailing almost
isotropically in addition to already known complex structure around the pulsar. We also discovered new PWN candidates and estimated a metallicity of the progenitor of Kepler's supernova.

Free Research Field

Ｘ線天文学