The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054

PSR J1717−4054 is one of the small class of pulsars which null on intermediate (∼h) time-scales. Such pulsars represent an important link between classical nullers – whose emission vanishes for a few rotations – and the intermittent pulsars which null for months and years. Using the Parkes radio tel...

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Main Authors: Kerr, M., Hobbs, G., Shannon, Ryan, Kiczynski, M., Hollow, R., Johnston, S.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2014
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/24380
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author Kerr, M.
Hobbs, G.
Shannon, Ryan
Kiczynski, M.
Hollow, R.
Johnston, S.
author_facet Kerr, M.
Hobbs, G.
Shannon, Ryan
Kiczynski, M.
Hollow, R.
Johnston, S.
author_sort Kerr, M.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description PSR J1717−4054 is one of the small class of pulsars which null on intermediate (∼h) time-scales. Such pulsars represent an important link between classical nullers – whose emission vanishes for a few rotations – and the intermittent pulsars which null for months and years. Using the Parkes radio telescope and the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we have studied the emission from PSR J1717−4054 over intervals from single pulses to years. We have identified and characterized nulling at three discrete time-scales: the pulsar emits during ‘active states’ separated by nulls lasting many thousands of rotations, while active states themselves are interrupted by nulls with a bimodal distribution of durations – one to two rotations, or tens of rotations. We detect no sub-pulse structure or flux-density variations during active states, and we place stringent limits (<0.1 per cent of the mean active flux density) on pulsed emission during inactive states. Finally, our high-quality data have also allowed us to measure for the first time many important properties of PSR J1717−4054, including its position, spin-down rate, spectrum, polarization characteristics, and pulse broadening in the interstellar medium.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-243802018-03-29T09:08:00Z The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054 Kerr, M. Hobbs, G. Shannon, Ryan Kiczynski, M. Hollow, R. Johnston, S. PSR J1717−4054 is one of the small class of pulsars which null on intermediate (∼h) time-scales. Such pulsars represent an important link between classical nullers – whose emission vanishes for a few rotations – and the intermittent pulsars which null for months and years. Using the Parkes radio telescope and the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we have studied the emission from PSR J1717−4054 over intervals from single pulses to years. We have identified and characterized nulling at three discrete time-scales: the pulsar emits during ‘active states’ separated by nulls lasting many thousands of rotations, while active states themselves are interrupted by nulls with a bimodal distribution of durations – one to two rotations, or tens of rotations. We detect no sub-pulse structure or flux-density variations during active states, and we place stringent limits (<0.1 per cent of the mean active flux density) on pulsed emission during inactive states. Finally, our high-quality data have also allowed us to measure for the first time many important properties of PSR J1717−4054, including its position, spin-down rate, spectrum, polarization characteristics, and pulse broadening in the interstellar medium. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/24380 10.1093/mnras/stu1716 restricted
spellingShingle Kerr, M.
Hobbs, G.
Shannon, Ryan
Kiczynski, M.
Hollow, R.
Johnston, S.
The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054
title The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054
title_full The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054
title_fullStr The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054
title_full_unstemmed The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054
title_short The three discrete nulling time-scales of PSR J1717-4054
title_sort three discrete nulling time-scales of psr j1717-4054
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/24380