Astronomy:PSR J2144-3933

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PSR J2144-3933
Observation data
Equinox J2000.0]] (ICRS)
Constellation Grus
Right ascension  21h 44m 12.10s
Declination −39° 33′ 55.2″
Characteristics
Spectral type Pulsar
Variable type None
Astrometry
Distance587.088 ly (180 pcly
Details
Rotation8.51 s
Other designations
EUVE J2144-39.6
Database references
SIMBADdata

PSR J2144-3933 is a pulsar about 180 parsecs (587.088 light-years) from Earth. It was previously thought to have a period of 2.84 seconds but is now known to have a period of 8.51 seconds, which is among the longest-known radio pulsar.

J2144-3933 is notable for other reasons: its mean pulse profile is very narrow in comparison to the pulse period with a half-intensity width of less than one degree of longitude. It also has the lowest spindown luminosity of any pulsar at about 3×1021 watts.

Writing in Nature, astrophysicists M. D. Young and coworkers consider this object and suggest that its existence throws current theories into doubt. They state:

Moreover, under the usual model assumptions, based on the neutron-star equations of state, this slowly rotating pulsar should not be emitting a radio beam. Therefore either the model assumptions are wrong, or current theories of radio emission must be revised[1]

References

External links