Precession of Isolated Neutron Stars

Abstract

I summarize the evidence for precession of isolated neutron stars and theoretical effort to understand the observations. I discuss factors that might set the precession period, describe constraints on the material properties of the crust, and conclude with a brief discussion of possible sources of stress that would deform a neutron star to the extent required.

arXiv comment7 pages, to appear in proceedings of "Radio Pulsars", Chania, Crete, August 2002 (ASP conference series)