Pulsar Distances and the Galactic Distribution of Free Electrons
Abstract
The present quantitative model for Galactic free electron distribution abandons the assumption of axisymmetry and explicitly incorporates spiral arms; their shapes and locations are derived from existing radio and optical observations of H II regions. The Gum Nebula's dispersion-measure contributions are also explicitly modeled. Adjustable quantities are calibrated by reference to three different types of data. The new model is estimated to furnish distance estimates to known pulsars that are accurate to about 25 percent.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- July 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1086/172870
- Bibcode:
- 1993ApJ...411..674T
- Keywords:
-
- Astrometry;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- Free Electrons;
- Galactic Structure;
- H Ii Regions;
- Pulsars;
- Astronomical Models;
- Extragalactic Radio Sources;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXY: STRUCTURE;
- ISM: GENERAL;
- STARS: PULSARS: GENERAL;
- STARS: DISTANCES