Parkes observations for project P602 semester 2010OCTS

We propose to continue studying two of the three magnetars known 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\nXTE J1810-197 has ceased to emit detectable radio pulsations, and we\r\nrequest only a small amount of time to monitor it for possible revival.\r\n1E 1547.0-5408, which cannot be observed with northern telescopes, has\r\nbeen remarkably active over the past 20 months: following a large X-ray\r\noutburst in October 2008, radio emission ceased, recommencing sporadically\r\nin December. In January 2009, a much larger X-ray outburst occurred,\r\nand since then there have been huge variations in its radio flux.\r\nThe X-ray flux is gradually decaying, and meanwhile the torque on the\r\nstar, measured through radio timing, continues to vary enormously.\r\nAt Parkes we request weekly timing to reliably track its rotation,\r\nwhile we monitor its X-ray flux with the Swift satellite.