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The Galactic Distribution of Pulsars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

A. G. Lyne*
Affiliation:
Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories, Jodrell Bank

Abstract

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The galactic distribution of pulsars follows the general form of many population I objects in galactocentric radius, but has a wide distribution above and below the galactic plane due to high space velocities imparted to the pulsars at birth. The evidence for this model is described and the various factors involved in estimating the total galactic population and the galactic birthrate of pulsars are discussed. The various estimates of the galactic population which cluster around 5 × 105 are seen to be critically dependent upon the cut-off at low luminosities and upon the value of the mean electron density within 500 pc of the Earth. Estimates of the lifetimes of pulsars are available from both the characteristic ages and proper motion measurements and both give values of about 5 million years. The implied birthrate of one in every 10 years is barely compatible with most estimates of the galactic supernova rate.

Type
X. Galactic Distribution of Pulsars
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1981 

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