The PWN torus of PSR J0538+2817 and the Origin of Pulsar Velocities

Abstract

We find evidence for a faint wind nebula surrounding PSR J0538+2817 in CXO-ACIS imaging. This object is particularly interesting, as the pulsar spindown age is largest for any such X-ray PWN. If interpreted as an equatorial torus, the PWN supports the claimed association with the S147 supernova remnant and implies good alignment between the pulsar spin and space velocity. Comparison of the SNR age, X-ray cooling age and characteristic age suggests a birth spin period of >130ms. In turn, if we accept as causal the alignment of the linear and angular momenta, this places strong constraints on the origin of the `kick' at the neutron star birth.