Chandra Observation of PWN G16.73+0.08 in SNR G16.7+0.1

TL;DR

This paper reports Chandra X-ray observations of PWN G16.73+0.08, revealing an offset nebula likely interacting with the supernova remnant reverse shock, and identifies a potential pulsar with estimated properties.

Contribution

First detailed X-ray analysis of PWN G16.73+0.08, showing nebula morphology, spectral characteristics, and potential pulsar identification with estimated spin-down power and magnetic field.

Findings

X-ray nebula offset from radio emission center

Identification of a likely pulsar near the X-ray peak

Estimated pulsar properties including spin-down power and magnetic field

Abstract

We present X-ray observations of PWN G16.73+0.08/SNR G16.7+0.1 using archival data of {\it Chandra} ACIS. The X-ray emission peak location of this pulsar wind nebula is found to be offset by 24 arcsec from the centre of the 1.4-GHz emission of this nebula. The X-ray nebula is elongated in the direction from the X-ray peak to the 1.4-GHz emission centre. This offset suggests that G16.73+0.08 is an evolved pulsar wind nebula interacting with the supernova remnant reverse shock. We identify a point source, CXO J182058.16-142001.5, near the location of the X-ray peak. The spectrum of the X-ray nebula can be described by an absorbed power law of photon index $0.98^{+0.79}_{-0.71}$ and hydrogen column density $N_{\rm H}=4.99^{+2.75}_{-2.28}\times 10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$. CXO J182058.16-142001.5 is likely a pulsar. We estimate its spin-down power to be about $2.6\times 10 ^{36}$ erg s$^{-1}$. Assuming its age at 3000 and 10,000 years, its dipole magnetic field strength at the polar surface is estimated to be about $4.2 \times 10^{13}$ G and $1.3 \times 10^{13}$ G, respectively.