Spectra of seven well-known pulsars (Credit: D.J. Thompson (NASA/GSFC)) These energy spectra of seven high-energy pulsars are shown in a format that plots the power seen per decade of energy observed. All these pulsars have their maximum output in the hard X-ray to gamma-ray energy band, displaying vastly more energy at high energies than in the optical or radio bands. Pulsars, with their powerful electric and magnetic fields, produce many high-energy particles that radiate X-rays and gamma rays. In addition, some of these rotating neutron stars have "hot spots" on their surface that produce a "bump" in their spectra in the soft X-ray energy range. At the highest energies, all these pulsars show a drop-off in their output; the reason for this decrease remains unknown. Search for an Image: (Enter the name of an object.) Additions or Comments: Have we left anything out? Is there something you would like to have added to this page (a link to your own group's research page, for example...)? IMAGES | By Mission | Stars | Cataclysmic Variables | X-ray Binaries | Pulsars | Supernova Remnants & Planetary Nebulae | Galaxies | Active Galactic Nuclei | Clusters and Groups of Galaxies | X-ray/gamma-ray Background & Deep Fields | Solar System Objects | Gamma Ray Bursts HEASARC Home | Observatories | Archive | Calibration | Software | Tools | Students/Teachers/Public Last modified: Thursday, 26-Jun-2003 13:48:45 EDT