HST and VLT observations of the neutron star 1E 1207.4-5209

Abstract

1E 1207.4-5209, the peculiar Central Compact object in the G296.5+10.0 supernova remnant, has been proposed to be an "anti-magnetar" - a young neutron star born with a weak dipole field. Accretion, possibly of supernova fallback material, has also been invoked to explain a large surface temperature anisotropy as well as the generation of peculiar cyclotron absorption features superimposed to its thermal spectrum. Interestingly enough, a faint optical/infrared source was proposed as a possible counterpart to 1E 1207.4-5209, but later questioned, based on coarse positional coincidence. Considering the large offset of 1E 1207.4-5209 with respect to the center of its host supernova remnant, the source should move at ~70 mas/yr. Thus, we tested the association by measuring the proper motion of the proposed optical counterpart. Using HST observations spanning 3.75 years, we computed a 3 sigma upper limit of 7 mas/yr. Absolute astrometry on the same HST data set also places the optical source significantly off the 99% confidence Chandra position. This allows us to safely rule out the association. Using the HST data set, coupled to ground-based observations collected at the ESO/VLT, we set the deepest limits ever obtained to the optical/infrared emission from 1E 1207.4-5209. By combining such limits to the constraints derived from X-ray timing, we rule out accretion as the source of the thermal anisotropy of the neutron star.

8 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Cited by in corpus (13)

• The Spin-down of PSR J0821-4300 and PSR J1210-5226: Confirmation of Central Compact Objects as Anti-Magnetars
• Evolution of a buried magnetic field in the central compact object neutron stars
• Central Compact Objects in Supernova Remnants
• Optical, ultraviolet, and infrared observations of isolated neutron stars
• Neutron stars - thermal emitters
• The most complete and detailed X-ray view of the SNR Puppis A
• Proper Motion and Timing of Two Unusual Pulsars: Calvera and 1E 1207.4-5209
• The nature of the infrared counterpart and of the optical nebula associated with the Central Compact Object in Vela Jr.\
• Central Compact Objects: some of them could be spinning up?
• Searching for Debris Disks around Isolated Pulsars
• Optical timing studies of isolated neutron stars: Current Status
• The First Glitch in a Central Compact Object Pulsar: 1E 1207.4-5209
• Central compact objects and their magnetic fields