The ASCA Spectrum of the Vela Pulsar Jet

摘要

ROSAT observations of the Vela pulsar and its surroundings have previously revealed a collimated X-ray feature almost 45 in length, interpreted as the signature "cocoon" of a one-sided jet from the Vela pulsar. We report on a new ASCA observation of the Vela pulsar jet at its head, the point where the jet is believed to interact with the supernova remnant. The head is clearly detected, and its X-ray spectrum is remarkably similar to the surrounding supernova remnant spectrum, extending to X-ray energies of at least 7 keV. A ROSAT plus ASCA spectrum can be fitted by two-component emission models but not by standard one-component models.