PSR J2144−3933

PSR J2144−3933 is a pulsar about 180 parsecs (587 light-years) from Earth. It was previously thought to have a period of 2.84 seconds but is now known to have a period of 8.51 seconds, which is among the longest-known radio pulsar.

PSR J2144−3933
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Grus
Right ascension 21h 44m 12.10s
Declination −39° 33′ 55.2″
Characteristics
Spectral type Pulsar
Variable type None
Astrometry
Distanceapprox. 587 ly
(approx. 180 pc)
Details
Rotation8.51 s
Other designations
EUVE J2144-39.6
Database references
SIMBADdata

J2144−3933 is notable for other reasons: its mean pulse profile is very narrow in comparison to the pulse period with a half-intensity width of less than one degree of longitude. It also has the lowest spindown luminosity of any pulsar at about 3×1021 watts.

Writing in Nature, astrophysicists M. D. Young and coworkers consider this object and suggest that its existence throws current theories into doubt. They state:

Moreover, under the usual model assumptions, based on the neutron-star equations of state, this slowly rotating pulsar should not be emitting a radio beam. Therefore either the model assumptions are wrong, or current theories of radio emission must be revised[1]

References
  1. Young, M. D.; Manchester, R. N.; Johnston, S. (26 August 1999). "A radio pulsar with an 8.5-second period that challenges emission models". Nature (400): 848–849. Bibcode:1999Natur.400..848Y. doi:10.1038/23650. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013.


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