The Tail of PSR J0002+6216 and the Supernova Remnant CTB 1

Sensitive, widefield VLA observations have revealed a striking bow-shock pulsar wind nebula trailing the 115-ms gamma-ray and radio pulsar J0002+6216. The narrowly collimated, non-thermal emission stretches at least 7' and, at a position angle of 113 deg., points to the geometric center of the supernova remnant CTB 1 about 28' away. A timing analysis of data collected with the Fermi LAT indicate the pulsar has a proper motion of 115±33 mas/yr at a position angle of 121±13 deg. The direction and magnitude of the proper motion support the claim that PSR J0002+6216 was born from the same supernova that produced CTB 1 about 10,000 years ago. In this scenario, PSR J0002+6216 was born spinning near its current frequency, and its high velocity (>1000 km/s) suggests an unusually asymmetric supernova. We discuss the implications of this result for pulsar birth periods, asymmetric supernova explosions, and mechanisms for pulsar natal kicks, and we reflect on the powerful combination of VLA data, long Fermi observations, and cutting-edge analysis techniques.