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Pulsar Glitches

Abstract

THE idea that pulsars are rotating neutron stars accounts for the observed periods, for the slow-down of pulsars with time1 and for the source of energy of the Crab nebula2,3. Apart from the general slowing down of the pulse rate, however, two pulsars have exhibited a sudden increase in frequency4–6 (glitch), after which the usual slowing down has been resumed. Thus on September 28, 1969, there was an increase in the Crab pulsar (NP 0532) frequency of magnitude5,6associated with an increase of activity in the nebula, especially the wisps7. After about 8 days, however, the pulsar settled down to a long-term frequency increase of about8–10There have been several attempts to account for these events8–12, but we suggest that the glitch might have been produced by a massive body falling on the Crab pulsar and transferring angular momentum to it.

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BÖRNER, G., COHEN, J. Pulsar Glitches. Nature Physical Science 231, 146–147 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci231146a0

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