Parkes observations for project P885 semester 2019APRS_14

We propose to observe the magnetars 1E 1547.0-5408 and PSR J1622-4950 approximately weekly, to track their rotation, flux density, and polarisation, as we have been doing through this project. As of this week (8 Dec 2018), XTE J1810-197 is again a radio magnetar, after 10 years dormant! (We have been observing it sporadically during its low state waiting for such an event.) Its likely chaotic rotation will be better tracked in detail elsewhere, but weekly observations with the UWL receiver will provide unique measurements of its radio spectrum and broad-band behaviour. Our observations provide an important window into remarkably dynamic magnetar magnetospheres, and characterise the conditions under which radio emission takes place therein, placing constraints on the emission mechanisms, which in at least some significant respects differ from those of ordinary pulsars.

本研究提出将对磁星（magnetar）1E 1547.0-5408与PSR J1622-4950开展约每周一次的观测，以追踪其自转特性、流量密度与偏振（polarisation）状态，一如本项目此前的观测实践。截至本周（2018年12月8日），沉寂长达10年的XTE J1810-197再度成为射电磁星！（本项目曾在其处于低辐射状态期间开展零星观测，以待此类事件的发生。）其可能存在的混沌自转将在其他研究中得到更细致的追踪，但依托UWL接收机（UWL receiver）开展的每周观测，将能获取其射电光谱与宽频辐射行为的独特测量数据。本项观测为探究极具动态性的磁星磁层提供了重要窗口，同时刻画了磁星内部射电辐射发生的环境条件，进而对辐射机制施加约束——该机制在若干关键方面与普通脉冲星的辐射机制存在显著差异。