Astron. Astrophys. 331, 1002-1010 (1998)

7. Conclusions

We have conducted a sensitive search for pulsars in supernova remnants. The search detected a total of three pulsars, two of which were previously unknown. The new pulsars, J0215+6218 and J1957+2831, were found during searches of the supernova remnants G132.7+1.3 and G65.1+0.6 respectively. The case for associations between the new pulsars and their target remnants is presently unclear. From an analysis of the present sample of radio pulsars and supernova remnants, we reach two main conclusions: (i) The number of real associations in the present sample is at most . (ii) These are most likely to occur for pairs with 1 for which we see a clear excess in the observed distribution compared with that expected by chance.

Based on this analysis, neither of the two newly discovered pulsars seem likely to be genuinely associated. In order to unambiguously confirm/refute both these candidate associations, measurements of the pulsar proper motions are required. Such measurements would determine in each case whether the pulsar velocity is of the correct magnitude and direction to carry them to their presently position with respect to the remnant centre. Interferometric measurements to determine the proper motion of both pulsars using MERLIN, the M ulti-E lement R adio L inked I nterferometer network operated by the University of Manchester have recently been initiated.

© European Southern Observatory (ESO) 1998

Online publication: March 3, 1998
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