Definition:
PSR J2144−3933 is a pulsar, a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation out of its magnetic poles.
Overview:
PSR J2144−3933 is notable for its exceptionally long pulse period. Discovered in 1999 by a team led by astronomer A. Karastergiou using the 64-meter Parkes radio telescope in Australia, it attracted scientific interest due to its unusually slow rotation compared to most known pulsars. Pulsars typically rotate rapidly, with periods ranging from milliseconds to several seconds, but PSR J2144−3933 has a rotation period of approximately 8.51 seconds, placing it among the slowest-spinning radio pulsars known.
Etymology/Origin:
The designation "PSR" stands for "pulsar," the standard prefix for cataloged pulsars. "J" indicates that the coordinates are given in the J2000.0 epoch system. The numbers "2144" and "−3933" refer to the right ascension (21 hours, 44 minutes) and declination (−39 degrees, 33 arcminutes) of the pulsar in the sky, using equatorial coordinates.
Characteristics:
- Rotation Period: Approximately 8.51 seconds, making it one of the slowest-known radio pulsars.
- Dispersion Measure: Used to estimate the distance to the pulsar based on electron density in the interstellar medium. For PSR J2144−3933, the dispersion measure suggests a distance of several kiloparsecs, although precise distance estimates are uncertain.
- Radio Emission: The pulsar emits detectable radio waves despite its slow rotation, challenging theoretical models of pulsar emission mechanisms.
- Magnetic Field: Estimated to have a surface magnetic field strength on the order of 10^13 Gauss, typical for neutron stars but unusual given its long period.
- Emission Mechanism: Its radio emission is not fully understood; its continued detectability despite a long period suggests that the standard "death line" for pulsar emission may need revision.
Related Topics:
- Neutron stars
- Radio astronomy
- Pulsar emission mechanisms
- Parkes pulsar survey
- Interstellar medium and dispersion measure
- Pulsar timing and astrophysical modeling
Accurate information is not confirmed beyond published observations from peer-reviewed studies primarily based on Parkes Observatory data. Ongoing research seeks to refine models explaining how such slow pulsars remain radio-loud.