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Detection of extended component of 47 Tuc, due to unresolved pulsar emission

  Author: 		 Tim Connors

Revision: April 29, 2001

Abstract:

We present a method for statistically detecting an amount of pulsars in a cluster (47 Tucanae) that can not be individually resolved because of their low flux. The method involves forming a low resolution image of the core of a cluster, that has a beam that is matched with the expected spatial distribution of pulsars, and so will see unresolved pulsars as an extended component, and subtracting those pulsars that are in the process of scintillating. From this, we find typically $\sim 500
\mu$Jy contributed from easily resolved pulsars, and another $\sim
400$ from unresolved pulsars, suggesting there are 10 times as many pulsars 10 times less luminous than the 4 visible on most days - ie, at least 40 more pulsars in 47 Tuc.





Tim Connors 2001-04-29