Parkes observations for project P602 semester 2010APRS

We propose to continue studying the only two magnetars reported to emit\r\nradio pulsations. The aim is to develop a more specific understanding of\r\nthe dynamical behavior of their ultra-strong magnetic fields, which are\r\nresponsible for X-ray and gamma-ray outbursts, magnetospheric currents\r\nand particle acceleration, and heating of the neutron star surface.\r\nIn the past year, XTE J1810-197 has ceased to emit detectable radio\r\npulsations, and we request only a small amount of time to monitor it for\r\npossible revival. 1E 1547.0-5408, which cannot be observed with northern\r\ntelescopes, has been remarkably active over the past year:\r\nfollowing a large X-ray outburst in October 2008, radio emission ceased,\r\nrecommencing sporadically in December. In January 2009 a much larger X-ray\r\noutburst occurred, and while there has been huge variation in flux,\r\nradio emission now remains mostly detectable. The X-ray flux is\r\ngradually decaying, and meanwhile the torque on the star continues to\r\nvary enormously. At Parkes we request weekly timing to reliably track\r\nits rotation, while we monitor its X-ray flux with the Swift satellite,\r\nand also detailed polarimetric observations every two months.