Proper motion of the radio pulsar B1727-47 and its association with the supernova remnant RCW 114

TL;DR

This study measures the proper motion of pulsar B1727-47, linking it to supernova remnant RCW 114, and suggests the pulsar is closer than previously estimated, challenging existing electron density models.

Contribution

First direct measurement of the pulsar's proper motion linking it to RCW 114, and implications for distance estimates and Galactic electron density models.

Findings

Proper motion of 148±11 mas/yr measured.

Pulsar likely associated with RCW 114.

Distance to pulsar is less than 1 kpc, lower than dispersion measure estimates.

Abstract

We report preliminary results of the analysis of the proper motion of the bright radio pulsar B1727$-$47. Using archival Parkes timing data, as well as original and archival ATCA interferometry observations, we, for the first time, constrain the pulsar proper motion at the level of 148$\pm$11 mas yr$^{-1}$. The backward extrapolation of the proper motion vector to the pulsar birth epoch points at the center of the Galactic supernova remnant RCW 114 suggesting the genuine association between the two objects. We discuss the implications of the association and argue that the distance to the system is less than $1$ kpc. This value is at least two times lower than the dispersion measure distance estimates. This suggests that the existing Galaxy electron density models are incomplete in the direction to the pulsar.