paper

Post-outburst Observations of the Magnetically Active Pulsar J1846-0258: a new braking index, increased timing noise, and radiative recovery

arXiv:1007.2829 · doi:10.1088/0004-637X/730/2/66

Abstract

The ~800 yr-old pulsar J1846-0258 is a unique transition object between rotation-powered pulsars and magnetars: though behaving like a rotation-powered pulsar most of the time, in 2006 it exhibited a distinctly magnetar-like outburst accompanied by a large glitch. Here we present X-ray timing observations taken with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer over a 2.2-yr period after the X-ray outburst and glitch had recovered. We observe that the braking index of the pulsar, previously measured to be n=2.65+/-0.01, is now n=2.16+/-0.13, a decrease of 18+/-5%. We also note a persistent increase in the timing noise relative to the pre-outburst level. Despite the timing changes, a 2009 Chandra X-ray Observatory observation shows that the X-ray flux and spectrum of the pulsar and its wind nebula are consistent with the quiescent levels observed in 2000.

15 pages, 7 figures. ApJ, in press. Upper limit on blackbody component added, as well as additional discussion

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