The X-ray Structure of the Pulsar Bow Shock G189.22+2.90 in the Supernova Remnant IC 443

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dc.creatorGaensler, B. M.
dc.creatorChatterjee, S.
dc.creatorSlane, P. O.
dc.creatorvan der Swaluw, E.
dc.creatorCamilo, F.
dc.creatorHughes, J. P.
dc.date2006-01-13
dc.date2006-05-25
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T10:43:33Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T10:43:33Z
dc.descriptionWe present a deep observation with the Chandra X-ray Observatory of the neutron star bow shock G189.22+2.90 in the supernova remnant (SNR) IC 443. Our data confirm the cometary morphology and central point source seen previously, but also reveal considerable new structure. Specifically, we find that the X-ray nebula consists of two distinct components: a "tongue" of bright emission close to the neutron star, enveloped by a larger, fainter "tail". We interpret the tongue and tail as delineating the termination shock and the post-shock flow, respectively, as previously identified also in the pulsar bow shock G359.23-0.82 ("the Mouse"). However, for G189.22+2.90 the tongue is much less elongated than for the Mouse, while the tail is much broader. These differences are consistent with the low Mach number, M >~ 2, expected for a neutron star moving through the hot gas in a SNR's interior, supporting the case for a physical association between G189.22+2.90 and IC 443. We resolve the stand-off distance between the star and the head of the bow shock, which allows us to estimate a space velocity for the neutron star of ~230 km/s, independent of distance. We detect thermal emission from the neutron star surface at a temperature of 102 +/- 22 eV, which is consistent with the age of SNR IC 443 for standard neutron star cooling models. We also identify two compact knots of hard emission located 1-2 arcsec north and south of the neutron star.
dc.description8 pages, including 3 color EPS figure. Expaneded to include new figures, plus discussion of the association between the pulsar and the supernova remnant. ApJ, in press
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0601304
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0601304
dc.identifierAstrophys.J.648:1037-1042,2006
dc.identifierdoi:10.1086/506246
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/182281
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.titleThe X-ray Structure of the Pulsar Bow Shock G189.22+2.90 in the Supernova Remnant IC 443
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