Abstract
RECENT analyses of the electrodynamics of the plasma surrounding a rotating magnetic neutron star1–3 have provided plausible mechanisms for the acceleration of high energy particles in the Crab Nebula. We shall discuss some implications of these models, but the results may apply to a variety of models of the interaction between a central object and a surrounding nebula. In particular, we propose an explanation of the low frequency radio source of small diameter4, which probably lies near the centre of the Crab5 and which may therefore be associated with the pulsar. Specifically, we suggest that the high brightness temperatures associated with this source6 may result from coherent synchrotron emission associated with phase-coherence of the electron gyromotion.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Ostriker, J. P., and Gunn, J. E., Astrophys. J., 157, 1395 (1969).
Goldreich, P., and Julian, W. H., Astrophys. J., 157, 869 (1969).
Pacini, F., Nature, 216, 567 (1967); 219, 145 (1968).
Andrew, B. H., Branson, N. J. B. A., and Wills, D., Nature, 203, 171 (1964).
Gower, J. F. R., Nature, 213, 1213 (1967).
Bell, S. J., and Hewish, A., Nature, 213, 1214 (1967).
Wampler, E. J., Scargle, J. D., and Miller, J. S., Astrophys. J. Lett., 157, L1 (1969).
Scargle, J. D., Astrophys. J., 156, 401 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CAROFF, L., SCARGLE, J. Coherent Synchrotron Emission in the Crab Nebula. Nature 225, 168 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/225168a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/225168a0
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.