Planets in Pulsar Winds

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to detect exoplanets around pulsars by observing radio emissions generated through magnetospheric interactions, supported by relativistic simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a new detection technique based on radio emissions from pulsar-planet interactions, supported by relativistic numerical simulations.

Findings

Simulations show planets can produce detectable radio emissions.

A planet around PSR J0636+5129 b could be detected via radio signals.

Outlines observational strategies for detecting such planets.

Abstract

Planets around pulsars were the first discovered exoplanets, found thanks to the extremely precise pulsar timing. Here we suggest that they could also be found through the radio emission generated by the pulsar-planet magnetospheric interaction. We present the results of special relativistic numerical simulations of planets in a pulsar wind of velocity $v=0.985~c$, corresponding to a Lorentz factor $\gamma=5.795$. Planets, modeled as a perfectly conducting solid surface in an external magnetic field originating from the pulsar, produce radio emission in the extended magnetic structure on the planet's nightside. We find that the planet around a known pulsar, PSR J0636+5129 b, could be detected via its radio emission. We outline the observational prospects for such objects.