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The galactic distribution of free electrons

Nature volume 354, pages 121–124 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Dispersion, distance and scattering measurements of pulsars and other radio sources are now sufficiently numerous to allow modelling of the entire galactic distribution of free electrons. A two-component axisymmetric model of local electron density, fitted on all scales from 100 km to a few parsecs, accounts for most of the data; a population of dense, discrete clouds is also needed, and there is some evidence for spiral structure.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Astronomy Department and NAIC, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

    J. M. Cordes

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, 55057, USA

    J. M. Weisberg

  3. National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro, New Mexico, 87801, USA

    D. A. Frail

  4. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA

    S. R. Spangler

  5. Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

    M. Ryan

Authors
  1. J. M. Cordes
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  3. D. A. Frail
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  4. S. R. Spangler
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  5. M. Ryan
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Cordes, J., Weisberg, J., Frail, D. et al. The galactic distribution of free electrons. Nature 354, 121–124 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/354121a0

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