XMM-Newton observation of PSR B2224+65 and its jet

TL;DR

This study uses XMM-Newton observations to analyze PSR B2224+65 and its jet, revealing a perpendicular X-ray jet, an extended feature opposite to proper motion, and suggesting a pulsar wind nebula origin, along with potential binary history.

Contribution

First detailed X-ray imaging of PSR B2224+65 revealing jet structure and extended features, supporting pulsar wind nebula interpretation and identifying a possible binary companion.

Findings

Detection of a long X-ray jet perpendicular to proper motion

Identification of an extended feature opposite to proper motion

Non-detection of X-ray pulsations disfavors magnetospheric origin

Abstract

We have investigated the pulsar PSR B2224+65 and its X-ray jet with XMM-Newton. Apart from the long X-ray jet which is almost perpendicular to the direction of proper motion, a putative extended feature at the pulsar position, which oriented in the opposite direction of the proper motion, is also suggested by this deep X-ray imaging. Non-detection of any coherent X-ray pulsation disfavors the magnetospheric origin of the X-rays observed from the position of PSR B2224+65 and hence suggest that the interpretation of pulsar wind nebula is more viable. We have also probed the origin of PSR B2224+65 and identified a runaway star, which possibly originated from the Cygnus OB9 association, as a candidate for the former binary companion of the neutron star's progenitor.