Abstract
The first millisecond pulsar, 1937+2141, has given rise to much observational and theoretical excitement (reviewed in ref. 2). A 20th magnitude red object was proposed earlier as a possible optical counterpart3, but we show here that this is not the case: this object is probably a giant star at a distance of 5–6 kpc. There is no evidence for an optical source brighter than the 23rd red magnitude at the improved optical position. We also present results of the search for the optical counterpart of the new millisecond pulsar 1953+2904. A grid of astrometric offset stars for this source is given, and possibility of optical detection discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Backer, D., Kulkarni, S., Heiles, C., Davis, M. & Goss, W. Nature 300, 615–618 (1982).
Kulkarni, S. R. in Proceedings of the Workshop on Position-Electron Pairs in Astrophysics. (Reidel, Dordrecht, in the press).
Djorgovski, S. Nature. 300, 618–619 (1982).
Boriakoff, V., Buccheri, R. & Fauci, R. Nature 304, 417–419 (1983).
Lebofsky, M. J. & Rieke, G. H. IAU Circ. No. 3809 (1983).
Middleditch, J. et al. Nature 306, 163–164 (1983).
Heiles, C. et al. Astrophys. J. Lett.(in the press).
Manchester, R. N., Peterson, B. A. & Wallace, P. T. IAU Circ. No. 3795 (1983).
Pacini, F. & Salvati, M. Astrophys. J.(in the press).
Joss, P. C. & Rappaport, S. A. Nature 304, 419–421 (1983).
Paczynski, B. Nature 304, 421–422 (1983).
Helfand, D. J., Ruderman, M. A. & Shaham, J. Nature 304, 423–425 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Djorgovski, S., Spinrad, H. Searches for optical counterparts of the two millisecond pulsars. Nature 306, 569–571 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/306569a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/306569a0
This article is cited by
-
Millisecond pulsars
Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (1984)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
