Abstract
We have recently1 found the velocities of 26 pulsars from their proper motions as measured by a long-baseline radio inter ferometer. We now point out that these velocities are closely correlated with either the magnetic dipole moments or the moments of inertia of the pulsars as derived from the slow down of their rotation rates. Contrary to previous reports, we find no relation between the directions of the proper motions and the pulsar spin axes. A brief examination is made of possible explanations of the correlations with velocity and it is suggested that an asymmetry at the time of neutron star formation is responsible. The data do not seem to support the electromag netic acceleration process suggested by Harrison and Tademaru2.
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Anderson, B., Lyne, A. On the origin of pulsar velocities. Nature 303, 597–599 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/303597a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/303597a0
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