Neutron Star Astronomy with the HST

TL;DR

This paper reviews the contributions of the Hubble Space Telescope to neutron star astronomy, highlighting key optical observations of various neutron stars and their significance for follow-up studies with larger telescopes.

Contribution

It presents recent HST WFPC2 observations of specific neutron stars, demonstrating the telescope's role in advancing optical neutron star research before its decommissioning.

Findings

Optical observations of PSR B0540-69, PSR B1055-52, and 1E 1207.4-5209.

HST's pivotal role in neutron star studies from 1990 to 2009.

Foundation for future follow-up with large ground-based telescopes.

Abstract

Since its launch in 1990, HST has played a leading role in optical studies of isolated neutron stars, both radio-loud pulsars and radio-silent ones, paving the way to follow-up observations performed with 8m-class telescopes, like the VLT, the Gemini, and Subaru. Here, I present the last results obtained mostly by the WFPC2, before its de-commissioning during the last refurbishment mission in May 2009, from the observations of the rotation-powered pulsars PSR B0540-69, PSR B1055-52 and of the CCO 1E 1207.4-5209 in the PKS 1209-52 SNR.