Issue |
A&A
Volume 418, Number 2, May I 2004
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 649 - 653 | |
Section | Stellar structure and evolution | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20040044 | |
Published online | 09 April 2004 |
Pulsar birthrate set by cosmic-ray positron observations
Istituto di Fisica dell'Università di Urbino, via S. Chiara, Urbino, 06129, Italy
Corresponding author: cgrimani@fis.uniurb.it
Received:
23
September
2002
Accepted:
15
January
2004
The pulsar birthrate (PB) in our galaxy is a parameter known with a
large uncertainty. Different estimates indicate that 1/PB ranges between 30
and 250 years. Assuming
a polar-cap model
for gamma-ray production in gamma-ray pulsars,
positron fraction measurements in cosmic rays above a few GeV make it possible
to set a limit on PB.
Recent measurements of the ) ratio indicate a PB
of one pulsar born every
years when the uncertainty on
the secondary positron
calculations is taken into account. A PB compatible with this
result is found even in the case of a relevant production of positrons in the pulsar outer gaps.
Key words: stars: pulsar: general / ISM: cosmic-rays
© ESO, 2004
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.