Pulsar Interferometry

University Of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA

Investigators

Abstract

" Pulsar Interferometry" AST- 0098343 Pulsars present one of the most clear-cut demonstrations that it is through astronomy and astrophysics that we can study the properties of matter existing under conditions quite unattainable in our laboratories here on the Earth. Radio pulsars are the most easily observed manifestation of the neutron stars which we now recognize as occupying a key position in stellar evolution. For example, comparing the radio pulsar birthrate with the birthrate of massive stars, the frequency of type II supernovae can be constrained, which in turn limits the rate of heavy element generation and enrichment from this source. Their impact on fundamental physics is likewise enormous, for example in the demonstration of gravitational radiation from binary pulsars. Yet, still the basic knowledge of the distances, distribution and dynamics of pulsars is in a very primitive state. With radio interferometry, precise astrometry is now possible for many pulsars which can yield many more parallaxes and proper motions for these objects. During the course of this award the PI and his collaborators plan to use the national radio astronomy facilities make these measurements and thus remedy the earlier deficiency.