Work

Chandra Proper Motions and Milliarcsecond Astrometry of 19 Pulsars

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We present X-ray proper motion (PM) measurements of 19 pulsars using new and archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, including pulsar wind trails and X-ray filaments. Precise X-ray PMs are often limited by uncertainties in aligning observations to a common reference frame. Our analysis uses unresolved X-ray flux from stars in the Gaia catalog in addition to X-ray bright point sources for alignment, improving uncertainties. We obtain absolute positions referenced to Gaia with typical astrometric precision ∼30 mas and PM statistical uncertainties down to 1.3 mas yr −1 , the most precise X-ray PM achieved to date. With our improved frame alignment, PM accuracies are now limited by the pulsar flux in most cases. These results reveal a new X-ray filament and illuminate the wind nebula structures and origins of several of these pulsars.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae48eb

Authors: Jack T. Dinsmore, Roger W. Romani

Institutions: Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, Stanford University

Language: English

Topic: Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,499

Funders: Smithsonian Institution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory