A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory
NuSTAR, the first high-energy focusing X-ray telescope, has provided an unprecedented view of the universe above 10 keV. I first briefly describe the fabrication and calibration campaign of the NuSTAR optics at Columbia University. I then present two main areas of research with NuSTAR: the pulsar wi...
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ndltd-columbia.edu-oai-academiccommons.columbia.edu-10.7916-D88051TK2019-05-09T15:14:52ZA study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatoryNynka, Melania Christina2015ThesesPhysicsAstrophysicsNuSTAR, the first high-energy focusing X-ray telescope, has provided an unprecedented view of the universe above 10 keV. I first briefly describe the fabrication and calibration campaign of the NuSTAR optics at Columbia University. I then present two main areas of research with NuSTAR: the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) G21.5-0.9, and the investigation of several filamentary structures within 0.5 deg. of the Galactic Center. G21.5-0.9 is a well-studied PWN, and was observed by NuSTAR with ∼ 280 ks in the first months of its mission. I used both spectral and spatial image analysis of the emission to probe the validity of various magnetohydrodynamic models. Image deconvolution reveals the existence of non-thermal emission up to 20 keV, likely the supernova shell. Next I discuss three non-thermal filaments found near the Galactic Center. The Cannonball is a known high-velocity neutron star escaping the radio shell of Sgr A East with an extended radio and soft X-ray tail. NuSTAR extended its non-thermal spectrum to 30 keV and measured a magnetic field of ∼ 313−550μG. I analyze filament G359.97-0.038 by incorporating broad-band morphological and spectral data from radio (5.5 and 8.3 GHz) and X-ray data with NuSTAR data. I conclude that it is not a PWN but more likely the result of an interaction between the Sgr A East remnant and the nearby molecular cloud. Lastly I observe the filament G0.13-0.11, likely a PWN elongated by the ram pressure from the nearby Radio Arc.Englishhttps://doi.org/10.7916/D88051TK |
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Physics Astrophysics |
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Physics Astrophysics Nynka, Melania Christina A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory |
description |
NuSTAR, the first high-energy focusing X-ray telescope, has provided an unprecedented view of the universe above 10 keV. I first briefly describe the fabrication and calibration campaign of the NuSTAR optics at Columbia University. I then present two main areas of research with NuSTAR: the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) G21.5-0.9, and the investigation of several filamentary structures within 0.5 deg. of the Galactic Center.
G21.5-0.9 is a well-studied PWN, and was observed by NuSTAR with ∼ 280 ks in the first months of its mission. I used both spectral and spatial image analysis of the emission to probe the validity of various magnetohydrodynamic models. Image deconvolution reveals the existence of non-thermal emission up to 20 keV, likely the supernova shell.
Next I discuss three non-thermal filaments found near the Galactic Center. The Cannonball is a known high-velocity neutron star escaping the radio shell of Sgr A East with an extended radio and soft X-ray tail. NuSTAR extended its non-thermal spectrum to 30 keV and measured a magnetic field of ∼ 313−550μG. I analyze filament G359.97-0.038 by incorporating broad-band morphological and spectral data from radio (5.5 and 8.3 GHz) and X-ray data with NuSTAR data. I conclude that it is not a PWN but more likely the result of an interaction between the Sgr A East remnant and the nearby molecular cloud. Lastly I observe the filament G0.13-0.11, likely a PWN elongated by the ram pressure from the nearby Radio Arc. |
author |
Nynka, Melania Christina |
author_facet |
Nynka, Melania Christina |
author_sort |
Nynka, Melania Christina |
title |
A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory |
title_short |
A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory |
title_full |
A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory |
title_fullStr |
A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory |
title_full_unstemmed |
A study of Pulsar Wind Nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the NuSTAR observatory |
title_sort |
study of pulsar wind nebulae and non-thermal filaments with the nustar observatory |
publishDate |
2015 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.7916/D88051TK |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT nynkamelaniachristina astudyofpulsarwindnebulaeandnonthermalfilamentswiththenustarobservatory AT nynkamelaniachristina studyofpulsarwindnebulaeandnonthermalfilamentswiththenustarobservatory |
_version_ |
1719046310144770048 |