Magnetic coupling of planets and small bodies with a pulsar wind
Abstract
Aims: We investigate the electromagnetic interaction of a relativistic stellar wind with a planet or a smaller body in orbit around the star. This may be relevant to objects orbiting a pulsar that are expected to hold a planetary system, such as PSR B1257+12 and PSR B1620-26, or to pulsars with suspected asteroids or comets.
Methods: We extend the theory of Alfvén wings to relativistic winds.
Results: When the wind is relativistic but slower than the total Alfvén speed, a system of electric currents carried by a stationary Alfvénic structure is driven by the planet or by its surroundings.For an Earth-like planet around a "standard" second pulsar, the associated current can reach the same magnitude as the Goldreich-Julian current that powers the pulsar's magnetosphere.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- August 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361/201116530
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1106.0657
- Bibcode:
- 2011A&A...532A..21M
- Keywords:
-
- plasmas;
- relativistic processes;
- methods: analytical;
- pulsars: general;
- planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability;
- planet-star interactions;
- Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- ccepted for publication in "Astronomy and Astrophysics"