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Context. Spider pulsars are millisecond pulsars in tight binary systems, in which a low-mass companion star is heated and ablated by the pulsar wind. Their observations allow one to study stellar evolution with formation of millisecond pulsars and physics of superdense matter in neutron stars. However, spiders are rare due to difficulties of their discovery using typical radio search techniques. The Fermi $\gamma$-ray source 4FGL J1544.2$-$2554 was recently proposed as a pulsar candidate, and its likely X-ray and optical counterparts with the galactic coordinates $l\approx344.\!\!^\circ76$, $b\approx22.\!\!^\circ59$ and the magnitude $G\approx20.6$ were found using the eROSITA and Gaia surveys. Aims. Our goals are to study whether the source is a new spider pulsar and to estimate its fundamental parameters. Methods. We performed the first optical time-series multi-band photometry of the object. We used the Lomb-Scargle periodogram to search for its brightness periodicity and fitted its light curves with a model of direct heating of the binary companion by the pulsar wind. Results. The source shows a strong brightness variability with a period of $\approx$ 2.724 h and an amplitude of $\gtrsim$ 2.5 mag, and its light curves have a single broad peak per period. These features are typical for spider pulsars. The curves are well fitted by the direct heating model, resulting in an orbit inclination of the presumed spider system of $\approx 83^\circ$, a companion mass of $\approx 0.1$ M$_\odot$, its ''day-side'' and ''night-side'' temperatures of $\approx 7200$ K and $\approx 3000$ K, a Roche-lobe filling factor of $\approx 0.65$ and a distance of $\approx 2.1$ kpc. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that 4FGL J1544.2$-$2554 is a spider pulsar. This encourages searches for the pulsar millisecond pulsations in the radio and $\gamma$-rays to confirm its nature., Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

SRGe J194401.8+284452 is the brightest point-like X-ray object within the position uncertainty ellipse of an unidentified $\gamma$-ray source 4FGL J1943.9+2841. We performed multi-wavelength spectral and photometric studies to determine its nature and possible association with the $\gamma$-ray source. We firmly established its optical counterpart with the Gaia based distance of about 415 pc. Our data show that the object is a cataclysmic variable with an orbital period of about 1.5 hours. SRGe J194401.8+284452 exhibits fast spontaneous transitions between the high and low luminosity states simultaneously in the optical and X-rays, remaining relatively stable between the transitions on scales of several months/years. This can be caused by an order of magnitude changes in the accretion rate. The brightness of the source is about 17 mag and 20 mag in the optical range and $5\times 10^{-12}$ and $5\times 10^{-13}$ erg/cm$^2$/s in the $0.3- 10$ keV range in the high and low states, respectively. We constrained the mass of the white dwarf ($0.3 - 0.9$ $M_\odot$) and its temperature in the low state (14750 $\pm$ 1250 K), the mass of the donor star ($\leq$ 0.08 $\pm$ 0.01 $M_ \odot$). In the low state, we detected regular optical pulsations with an amplitude of 0.2 mag and a period of 8 min. They are likely associated with the spin of the white dwarf, rather than with its non-radial pulsations. In the high state, the object demonstrates only stochastic optical brightness variations on time scales of $1 - 15$~minutes with amplitudes of $0.2 - 0.6$~mag. We conclude, that SRGe J194401.8+284452 can be classified as an intermediate polar, and its association with the $\gamma$-ray source is very unlikely.

Context. Two millisecond pulsars, PSR J1513$-$2550 and PSR J2017$-$1614, with spin periods of about 2.1 and 2.3 ms were recently discovered in the radio and $\gamma$-rays and classified as black widow pulsars in tight binary stellar systems with orbital periods of about 4.3 and 2.3 h. Aims. Our goals are to reveal fundamental parameters of both systems and their binary components using multi-wavelength observations. Methods. We carried out the first time-series multi-band optical photometry of the objects with the 2.1-metre telescope of the Observatorio Astron\'omico Nacional San Pedro M\'artir, the 6.5-metre \magel-1 telescope, and the 10.4-metre Gran Telescopio Canarias. To derive the parameters of both systems, we fitted the obtained light curves with a model assuming heating of the companion by the pulsar. We also analysed archival X-ray data obtained with the XMM-Newton observatory. Results. For the first time, we firmly identified J1513$-$2550 in the optical and both pulsars in X-rays. The optical light curves of both systems have a single peak per orbital period with peak-to-peak amplitude of $\gtrsim2$ magnitudes. The J2017$-$1614 light curves are symmetric, while J1513$-$2550 demonstrates strong asymmetry whose nature remains unclear. Conclusions. We constrained the orbital inclinations, pulsar masses, companion temperatures and masses, as well as the distances to both systems. We also conclude that J2017$-$1614 may contain a massive neutron star of 2.4$\pm$0.6 M$_{\odot}$. The X-ray spectra of both sources can be fitted by power laws with parameters typical for black widow systems., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in A&A

An unidentified $\gamma$-ray source 4FGL J1838.2+3223 has been proposed as a pulsar candidate. We present optical time-series multi-band photometry of its likely optical companion obtained with the 2.1-m telescope of Observatorio Astron\'omico Nacional San Pedro M\'artir, Mexico. The observations and the data from the Zwicky Transient Facility revealed the source brightness variability with a period of $\approx$4.02 h likely associated with the orbital motion of the binary system. The folded light curves have a single sine-like peak per period with an amplitude of about three magnitude accompanied by fast sporadic flares up to one magnitude level. We reproduce them modelling the companion heating by the pulsar. As a result, the companion side facing the pulsar is strongly heated up to 11300$\pm$400 K, while the temperature of its back side is only 2300$\pm$700 K. It has a mass of 0.10$\pm$0.05 ${\rm M}_\odot$ and underfills its Roche lobe with a filling factor of $0.60^{+0.10}_{-0.06}$. This implies that 4FGL J1838.2+3223 likely belongs to the `spider' pulsar family. The estimated distance of $\approx$3.1 kpc is compatible with Gaia results. We detect a flare from the source in X-rays and ultraviolet using Swift archival data and another one in X-rays with the eROSITA all-sky survey. Both flares have X-ray luminosity of $\sim$10$^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$ which is two orders of magnitude higher than the upper limit in quiescence obtained from eROSITA assuming spectral shape typical for spider pulsars. If the spider interpretation is correct, these flares are among the strongest flares observed from non-accreting spider pulsars., Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

PSR J1641+8049 is a 2 ms black widow pulsar with the 2.2 h orbital period detected in the radio and $\gamma$-rays. We performed new phase-resolved multi-band photometry of PSR J1641+8049 using the OSIRIS instrument at the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The obtained data were analysed together with the new radio-timing observations from the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME), the X-ray data from the Spectrum-RG/eROSITA all-sky survey, and all available optical photometric observations. An updated timing solution based on CHIME data is presented, which accounts for secular and periodic modulations in pulse dispersion. The system parameters obtained through the light curve analysis, including the distance to the source 4.6-4.8 kpc and the orbital inclination 56-59 deg, are found to be consistent with previous studies. However, the optical flux of the source at the maximum brightness phase faded by a factor of $\sim$2 as compared to previous observations. Nevertheless, the face of the J1641+8049 companion remains one of the most heated (8000-9500 K) by a pulsar among the known black widow pulsars. We also report a new estimation on the pulsar proper motion of $\approx$2 mas yr$^{-1}$, which yields a spin down luminosity of $\approx$4.87$\times 10^{34}$ ergs s$^{-1}$ and a corresponding heating efficiency of the companion by the pulsar of 0.3-0.7. The pulsar was not detected in X-rays implying its X-ray-luminosity was <3 $\times$ 10$^{31}$ erg s$^{-1}$ at the date of observations., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present the results of optical spectroscopy of stellar companions to three binary millisecond pulsars, PSRs J0621$+$2514, J2317$+$1439 and J2302$+$4442, obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The spectrum of the J0621$+$2514 companion shows a blue continuum and prominent Balmer absorption lines. The latter are also resolved in the spectrum of the J2317$+$1439 companion, showing that both are DA-type white dwarfs. No spectral features are detected for the J2302$+$4442 companion, however, its broadband magnitudes and the spectral shape of the continuum emission imply that this is also a DA-type white dwarf. Based on the spectral analyses, we conclude that the companions of J0621$+$2514 and J2317$+$1439 are relatively hot, with effective temperatures $T_{\rm eff}$$=$8600$\pm$200 and 9600$\pm$2000~K, respectively, while the J2302$+$4442 companion is significantly cooler, $T_{\rm eff}$$<$6000~K. We also estimated the distance to J0621$+$2514 of 1.1$\pm$0.3 kpc and argue that its companion and the companion of J2317$+$1439 are He-core white dwarfs providing constraints on their cooling ages of $\lesssim$2 Gyr., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Paper accepted to MNRAS

The Fermi catalogue contains about 2000 unassociated $\gamma$-ray sources. Some of them were recently identified as pulsars, including so called redbacks and black widows, which are millisecond pulsars in tight binary systems with non- and partially-degenerate low-mass stellar companions irradiated by the pulsar wind. We study a likely optical and X-ray counterpart of the Fermi source 4FGL J2054.2+6904 proposed earlier as a pulsar candidate. We use archival optical data as well as Swift/XRT and SRG/eROSITA X-ray data to clarify its nature. Using Zwicky Transient Facility data in $g$ and $r$ bands spanning over 4.7 years, we find a period of $\approx$7.5 h. The folded light curve has a smooth sinusoidal shape with the peak-to-peak amplitude of $\approx$0.4 mag. The spectral fit to the optical spectral energy distribution of the counterpart candidate gives the star radius of 0.5$\pm$0.1$R_\odot$ and temperature of 5500$\pm$300 K implying a G2--G9-type star. Its X-ray spectrum is well fitted by an absorbed power law with the photon index of 1.0$\pm$0.3 and unabsorbed flux of $\approx 2\times10^{-13}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$. All the properties of 4FGL J2054.2$+$6904 and its presumed counterpart suggest that it is a member of the redback family., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 6 pages, 6 figures

The 840 kyr old pulsar PSR J1957+5033, detected so far only in $\gamma$- and X-rays, is a nearby and rather cool neutron star with a temperature of 0.2--0.3 MK, a distance of $\la$1 kpc, and a small colour reddening excess $E(B-V) \approx 0.03$. These properties make it an ideal candidate to detect in the optical to get additional constraints on its parameters. We thus performed the first deep optical observations of the pulsar with the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias in the $g'$ band and found its possible counterpart with $g'=27.63\pm 0.26$. The counterpart candidate position is consistent with the X-ray coordinates of the pulsar within the 0.5 arcsec accuracy. Assuming that this is the real counterpart, we analysed the pulsar X-ray spectrum together with the derived optical flux density. As a result, we found that the thermal emission from the bulk surface of the cooling neutron star can significantly contribute to its optical flux. Our multi-wavelength spectral analysis favours the pulsar nature of the detected optical source, since it provides physically adequate parameters of the pulsar emission. We show that the optical data can provide new constraints on the pulsar temperature and distance., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, published in MNRAS

The structure, elemental abundances, physical conditions of the LMC supernova remnant (SNR) 0540-69.3 and its surroundings were investigated using [O III] imaging and spectroscopy. Several new spectral lines are identified, both in central filaments and in interstellar clouds shocked by the supernova blast wave. The central lines are redshifted by $440\pm80$ km s$^{-1}$ with respect to the LMC, and the [O III] emission displays a symmetry axis of ring-like structures which could indicate that the pulsar shares the same general redshift as the central supernova ejecta. [O II], [S II], [Ar III] and H$\beta$ have more compact structures than [O III], and possibly [Ne III]. The average [O III] temperature is $23\,500 \pm 1\,800$ K, and the electron density from [S II] is typically $10^3$ cm$^{-3}$. By mass, the relative elemental abundances of the central shocked ejecta are ${\rm O:Ne:S:Ar} \approx 1:0.07:0.10:0.02$, consistent with explosion models of $13-20$ solar mass progenitors, and similar to that of SN 1987A, as is also the mixing of hydrogen and helium into the center. [O III] is also seen in freely coasting ejecta outside the pulsar-wind nebula out to well above $2\,000$ km s$^{-1}$. From this a pulsar age of $\approx 1\,200$ years is estimated. Four filaments of shocked interstellar medium with a wide range in degree of ionization of iron are identified. One was observed in X-rays, and another has a redshift of $85\pm30$ km~s$^{-1}$ relative to LMC. From this the electron density of the [O III]-emitting gas is estimated to be $10^3$ cm$^{-3}$. The line of the most highly ionized ion, [Fe XIV] $\lambda$5303, likely comes from an evaporation zone in connection with the radiatively cooled gas emitting, e.g., [O III]., Comment: Submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics Aug. 2, 2021. 30 pages, 26 figures and 5 tables

We report detection of PSR B0656$+$14 with the Gran Telescopio Canarias in narrow optical $F657$, $F754$, $F802$, and $F902$ and near-infrared $JHK_s$ bands. The pulsar detection in the $K_s$ band extends its spectrum to 2.2 $\mu$m and confirms its flux increase towards the infrared. We also present a thorough analysis of the optical spectrum obtained by us with the VLT. For a consistency check, we revised the pulsar near-infrared and narrow-band photometry obtained with the \textit{HST}. We find no narrow spectral lines in the optical spectrum. We compile available near-infrared-optical-UV and archival 0.3-20keV X-ray data and perform a self-consistent analysis of the rotation phase-integrated spectrum of the pulsar using unified spectral models. The spectrum is best fitted by the four-component model including two blackbodies, describing the thermal emission from the neutron star surface and its hot polar cap, the broken power-law, originating from the pulsar magnetosphere, and an absorption line near $\sim$0.5 keV detected previously. The fit provides better constraints on the model parameters than using only a single spectral domain. The derived surface temperature is $T_{NS}^{\infty}=7.9(3)\times10^5$K. The intrinsic radius (7.8-9.9 km) of the emitting region is smaller than a typical neutron star radius (13km) and suggests a nonuniform temperature distribution over the star surface. In contrast, the derived radius of the hot polar cap is about twice as large as the `canonical' one. The spectrum of the nonthermal emission steepens from the optical to X-rays and has a break near 0.1 keV. The X-ray data suggest the presence of another absorption line near 0.3keV., Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Ages and thermal luminosities of neutron stars, inferred from observations, can be interpreted with the aid of the neutron star cooling theory to gain information on the properties of superdense matter in neutron-star interiors. We present a survey of estimated ages, surface temperatures and thermal luminosities of middle-aged neutron stars with relatively weak or moderately strong magnetic fields, which can be useful for these purposes. The catalogue includes results selected from the literature, supplemented with new results of spectral analysis of a few cooling neutron stars. The data are compared with the theory. We show that overall agreement of theoretical cooling curves with observations improves substantially for models where neutron superfluidity in stellar core is weak., Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, accepted by MNRAS. In v.2, acknowledgements are supplemented

We present observations of the pulsar-wind nebula (PWN) region ofSNR 0540-69.3. The observations were made with the Atacama Compact Array (ACA) in Bands 4 and 6. We also add radio observations from the Australia Compact Array (ATCA) at 3 cm. For 1.449 - 233.50 GHz we obtain a synchrotron spectrum $F_{\nu} \propto \nu^{-\alpha_{\nu}}$, with the spectral index $\alpha_{\nu} = 0.17\pm{0.02}$. To conclude how this joins the synchrotron spectrum at higher frequencies we include hitherto unpublished AKARI mid-infrared data, and evaluate published data in the ultraviolet (UV), optical and infrared (IR). In particular, some broad-band filter data in the optical must be discarded from our analysis due to contamination by spectral line emission. For the UV/IR part of the synchrotron spectrum, we arrive at $\alpha_{\nu} = 0.87^{+0.08}_{-0.10}$. There is room for $2.5\times10^{-3}$ solar masses of dust with temperature $\sim 55$ K if there are dual breaks in the synchrotron spectrum, one around $\sim 9\times10^{10}$ Hz, and another at $\sim 2\times10^{13}$ Hz. The spectral index then changes at $\sim 9\times10^{10}$ Hz from $\alpha_{\nu} = 0.14\pm0.07$ in the radio, to $\alpha_{\nu} = 0.35^{-0.07}_{+0.05}$ in the millimetre to far-IR range. The ACA Band 6 data marginally resolves the PWN. In particular, the strong emission 1.5" south-west of the pulsar, seen at other wavelengths, and resolved in the 3-cm data with its 0.8" spatial resolution, is also strong in the millimeter range. The ACA data clearly reveal the supernova remnant shell 20-35 arcsec west of the pulsar, and for the shell we derive $\alpha_{\nu} = 0.64\pm{0.05}$ for the range $8.6-145$~GHz., Comment: MNRAS, accepted

We analyse archival optical data on the binary companion to the millisecond pulsar \j1045\ obtained with the Very Large Telescope. A possible optical counterpart candidate %source position coincides with the pulsar coordinates is found at the pulsar position. Its magnitudes are $V>26.4$, $R=25.7(2)$ and $I=25.4(2)$. The data are compared with white dwarf evolutionary models. Depending on still poorly known distance to the pulsar, two alternative interpretations are possible. For the radio timing parallax distance, the candidate can be a very cool and old white dwarf with the hydrogen atmosphere and the temperature of $< 3000$ K and the age of $> 5$ Gyr. The dispersion measure distance suggests a younger ($\sim$ 2 Gyr) and hotter ($\sim$ 6000 K) white dwarf, whose atmosphere composition remains unknown.

We report on the results of Chandra X-ray observations of the $\gamma$-ray radio-quiet pulsar J1932+1916. We confirm the previous detection of the pulsar counterpart and its pulsar wind nebula in X-rays from low spatial resolution data obtained by Suzaku and Swift. The Chandra data with much better spatial resolution resolved the fine structure of the nebula in the pulsar vicinity, which can be interpreted as jets bent by the ram pressure. The size of this compact part is about 30'', and it is surrounded by a weak asymmetric diffusive emission extended up to $\approx$ 2.8'. The X-ray spectra of the pulsar, the compact and extended parts of the nebula can be described by the power-law models with photon indexes of 0.44, 2.34 and 2.14, respectively. The actual pulsar's X-ray flux is several times weaker than it was obtained with Suzaku and Swift where it was dominated by the unresolved nebula. We discuss possible associations of J1932+1916 with the nearby supernova remnant G54.4-0.3.

We report on multi-band photometric observations of four binary millisecond pulsars with the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The observations led to detection of binary companions to PSRs J1630+3734, J1741+1351 and J2042+0246 in the Sloan g', r' and i' bands. Their magnitudes in the r' band are $\approx$24.4, 24.4 and 24.0, respectively. We also set a 3$\sigma$ upper limit on the brightness of the PSR J0557+1550 companion in the r' band of $\approx$25.6 mag. Combining the optical data with the radio timing measurements and white dwarf cooling models, we show that the detected companions are cool low-mass white dwarfs with temperatures and ages in the respective ranges of (4-7)$\times 10^3$ K and 2-5 Gyr. All the detected white dwarfs are found to likely have either pure hydrogen or mixed helium-hydrogen atmospheres., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present optical time-resolved multi-band photometry of the black widow binary millisecond pulsar J2052+1219 using direct-imaging observations with the 2.1m telescope of Observatorio Astronomico Nacional San Pedro Martir, Mexico (OAN-SPM). The observations revealed a variable optical source whose position and periodicity P = 2.752h coincide with the pulsar coordinates and the orbital period obtained from radio timing. This allowed us to identify it with the binary companion of the pulsar. We reproduce light curves of the source modelling the companion heating by the pulsar and accounting for the system parameters obtained from the radio data. As a result, we independently estimate the distance to the system of 3.94(16) kpc, which agrees with the dispersion measure distance. The companion star size is 0.12-0.15 Rsun, close to filling its Roche lobe. It has a surface temperature difference of about 3000 K between the side facing the pulsar and the back side. We summarise characteristics of all black widow systems studied in the optical and compare them with the PSR J2052+1219 parameters derived from our observations., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS; 10 pages, 5 figures

We have analyzed archival XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of the gamma-ray radio-quiet pulsar J1826-1256 and its pulsar wind nebula. The pulsar spectrum can be described by a power-law model with a photon index $\Gamma\approx1$. We find that the nebular spectrum softens with increasing distance from the pulsar, implying synchrotron cooling. The empirical interstellar absorption-distance relation gives a distance of $\approx3.5$ kpc to J1826-1256. We also discuss the nebula geometry and association between the pulsar, the very high energy source HESS J1826-130, the supernova remnant candidate G18.45-0.42 and the open star cluster Bica 3., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We report detection of the binary companion to the millisecond pulsar J1741+1351 with the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The optical source position coincides with the pulsar coordinates and its magnitudes are g' = 24.84(5), r' = 24.38(4) and i' = 24.17(4). Comparison of the data with the white dwarf evolutionary models shows that the source can be a He-core white dwarf with a temperature of $\approx 6000$ K and a mass of $\approx 0.2$ M$_{\odot}$. The latter is in excellent agreement with the companion mass obtained from the radio timing solution for PSR J1741+1351., Comment: Submitted to Journal of Physics: Conference Series

We report the detection of the likely companion of the binary millisecond pulsar J0740+6620 with the Gran Telescopio Canarias in the $r'$ and $i'$ bands. The position of the detected starlike source coincides with the pulsar coordinates within the 1$\sigma$ uncertainty of $\approx$ 0.2 arcsec. Its magnitudes are $r'=26.51\pm0.17$ and $i'=25.49\pm0.15$. Comparing the data with the white dwarf cooling tracks suggests that it can be an ultracool helium-atmosphere white dwarf with the temperature $\lesssim$ 3500 K and cooling age $\gtrsim$ 5 Gyr. The age is consistent with the pulsar characteristic age corrected for kinematic effects. This is the reddest source among known white dwarf companions of millisecond pulsars. Detection of the source in other bands would be useful to clarify its properties and nature., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We report detection of the binary companion to the millisecond pulsar J2302+4442 based on the deep observations performed with the Gran Telescopio Canarias. The observations revealed an optical source with $r'$ = 23.33$\pm$0.02 and $i'$=23.08$\pm$0.02, whose position coincides with the pulsar radio position. By comparing the source colour and magnitudes with the white dwarf cooling predictions, we found that it likely represents a He or CO-core white dwarf and estimated its mass of 0.52$^{+0.25}_{-0.19}$ M$_{\odot}$ and effective temperature of 6300$^{+1000}_{-800}$ K. Combining our results with the radio timing measurements, we set constraints on the binary system inclination angle $i=73^{+6}_{-5}$ degrees and the pulsar mass $m_p=3.1^{+2.7}_{-2.0}$ M$_{\odot}$., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Using the SDSS and Pan-STARRS1 survey data, we found a likely companion of the recently discovered binary $\gamma$-ray radio-loud millisecond pulsar J0621+2514. Its visual brightness is about 22 mag. The broad band magnitudes and colours suggest that this is a white dwarf. Comparing the data with various white dwarfs evolutionary tracks, we found that it likely belongs to a class of He-core white dwarfs with a temperature of about 10 000 K and a mass of $\lesssim 0.5$M$_\odot$. For a thin hydrogen envelope of the white dwarf its cooling age is $\lesssim0.5$ Gyr which is smaller than the pulsar characteristic age of 1.8 Gyr. This may indicate that the pulsar age is overestimated. Otherwise, this may be explained by the presence of a thick hydrogen envelope or a low metallicity of the white dwarf progenitor., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in PASA

We report preliminary results of the analysis of the proper motion of the bright radio pulsar B1727$-$47. Using archival Parkes timing data, as well as original and archival ATCA interferometry observations, we, for the first time, constrain the pulsar proper motion at the level of 148$\pm$11 mas yr$^{-1}$. The backward extrapolation of the proper motion vector to the pulsar birth epoch points at the center of the Galactic supernova remnant RCW 114 suggesting the genuine association between the two objects. We discuss the implications of the association and argue that the distance to the system is less than $1$ kpc. This value is at least two times lower than the dispersion measure distance estimates. This suggests that the existing Galaxy electron density models are incomplete in the direction to the pulsar., Comment: 5 pages; 2 figures; Proceedings of the Physics of Neutron Stars - 2017. 50 years after, Saint Petersburg, July 10-14, 2017. In ver. 2, typos corrected

We present the analysis of the archival Suzaku and Swift X-ray observations of the young $\gamma$-ray pulsar J1932+1916 field. The data revealed a point-like object at the $\gamma$-ray position of the pulsar and diffuse X-ray emission around it. Spectra of the point-like source and diffuse emission are well-described by absorbed power-law models with spectral parameters typical for pulsar plus pulsar wind nebula systems. Therefore we suggest that Suzaku and Swift detected the X-ray counterpart of PSR J1932+1916. Assuming this interpretation, we constrain the distance to the pulsar in the range of 2-6 kpc. We also suggest possible association of the pulsar with the nearby supernova remnant G54.4-0.3 and discuss its implications for the pulsar proper motion, age and distance., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, published in MNRAS

We report the results of XMM-Newton observations of the Galactic mixed-morphology supernova remnant G350.0$-$2.0. Diffuse thermal X-ray emission fills the north-western part of the remnant surrounded by radio shell-like structures. We did not detect any X-ray counterpart of the latter structures, but found several bright blobs within the diffuse emission. The X-ray spectrum of the most part of the remnant can be described by a collisionally-ionized plasma model VAPEC with solar abundances and a temperature of $\approx 0.8$ keV. The solar abundances of plasma indicate that the X-ray emission comes from the shocked interstellar material. The overabundance of Fe was found in some of the bright blobs. We also analysed the brightest point-like X-ray source 1RXS J172653.4$-$382157 projected on the extended emission. Its spectrum is well described by the two-temperature optically thin thermal plasma model MEKAL typical for cataclysmic variable stars. The cataclysmic variable source nature is supported by the presence of a faint ($g\approx21$) optical source with non-stellar spectral energy distribution at the X-ray position of 1RXS J172653.4$-$382157. It was detected with the XMM-Newton optical/UV monitor in the $U$ filter and was also found in the archival H$\alpha$ and optical/near-infrared broadband sky survey images. On the other hand, the X-ray spectrum is also described by the power law plus thermal component model typical for a rotation powered pulsar. Therefore, the pulsar interpretation of the source cannot be excluded. For this source, we derived the upper limit for the pulsed fraction of 27 per cent., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures

PSR J1357$-$6429 is a young radio pulsar that was detected in X-rays and $\gamma$-rays. We present the high spatial resolution near-infrared imaging of the pulsar field in $J$, $H$ and $K_s$ bands obtained with the VLT/NaCo using the Adaptive Optic system. We found a faint source at the most precise pulsar radio position which we propose as the pulsar near-infrared counterpart candidate. It is confidently detected in the $J$ and $K_s$ bands, with $J$ = 23.51$\pm$0.24 and $K_s$ = 21.82$\pm$0.25. There is a hint of the source in the $H$ band with an upper limit $H$ $>$ 22.8. The dereddened source fluxes are compatible with the extrapolation of the pulsar X-ray spectrum towards the near-infrared. If the candidate is the true counterpart, by this property PSR J1357$-$6429 would be similar to the nearby middle-age pulsar PSR B0656+14. In this case, both pulsars demonstrate an unusually high near-infrared efficiency relative to the X-ray efficiency as compared to other pulsars detected in both ranges., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables

We present spectral and timing analyses of the X-ray emission from the pulsar wind nebula DA 495 and its central object, J1952.2+2925, suggested to be the pulsar, using archival Chandra and XMM-Newton data. J1952.2+2925 has a pure thermal spectrum which is equally well fitted either by the blackbody model with a temperature of $\approx 215$ eV and an emitting area radius of $\approx 0.6$ km or by magnetized neutron star atmosphere models with temperatures of 80-90 eV. In the latter case the thermal emission can come from the entire neutron star surface which temperature is consistent with standard neutron star cooling scenarios. We place also an upper limit on the J1952.2+2925 nonthermal flux. The derived spectral parameters are generally compatible with published ones based only on the Chandra data, but they are much more accurate due to the inclusion of XMM-Newton data. No pulsations were found and we placed an upper limit for the J1952.2+2925 pulsed emission fraction of 40 per cent. Utilizing the interstellar absorption-distance relation, we estimated the distance to DA 495, which can be as large as 5 kpc if J1952.2+2925 emission is described by the atmosphere models. We compiled possible multi-wavelength spectra of the nebula including radio data; they depend on the spectral model of the central object. Comparing the results with other pulsar plus wind nebula systems we set reasonable constraints on the J1952.2+2925 spin-down luminosity and age. We suggest that the Fermi source 3FGL J1951.6+2926 is the likely $\gamma$-ray counterpart of J1952.2+2925., Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

PSR J1357$-$6429 is a young and energetic radio pulsar detected in X-rays and $\gamma$-rays. It powers a compact pulsar wind nebula with a jet visible in X-rays and a large scale plerion detected in X-ray and TeV ranges. Previous multiwavelength studies suggested that the pulsar has a significant proper motion of about 180 mas yr$^{-1}$ implying an extremely high transverse velocity of about 2000 km s$^{-1}$. In order to verify that, we performed radio-interferometric observations of PSR J1357$-$6429 with the the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) in the 2.1 GHz band. We detected the pulsar with a mean flux density of $212\pm5$ $\mu$Jy and obtained the most accurate pulsar position, RA = 13:57:02.525(14) and Dec = $-$64:29:29.89(15). Using the new and archival ATCA data, we did not find any proper motion and estimated its 90 per cent upper limit $\mu < 106$ mas yr$^{-1}$. The pulsar shows a highly polarised single pulse, as it was earlier observed at 1.4 GHz. Spectral analysis revealed a shallow spectral index $\alpha_{\nu}$ = $0.5 \pm 0.1$. Based on our new radio position of the pulsar, we disclaim its optical counterpart candidate reported before., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures

We present results of the spectral analysis of the X-ray emission from the middle-aged Fermi pulsar J1741$-$2054 using all Chandra archival data collected in 2010 and 2013. We confirm early findings by Romani et al. 2010 that the pulsar spectrum contains a thermal emission component. The component is best described by the blackbody model with the temperature $\approx$ 60 eV and the emitting area radius $\approx$ 17 $D_{\rm kpc}$ km. The thermal emission likely originates from the entire surface of the cooling neutron star if the distance to the pulsar is $\approx$ 0.8 kpc. The latter is supported by a large absorbing column density inferred from the X-ray fit and empirical optical extinction--distance relations along the pulsar line of sight. The neutron star surface temperature and characteristic age make it similar to the well studied middle-aged pulsar B1055$-$52. Like the latter PSR J1741$-$2054 is hotter than the standard cooling scenario predicts., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, Accepted to ApJ

We present and discuss new visual wavelength-range observations of the inner regions of the supernova remnant SNR 0540-69.3 that is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). These observations provide us with more spatial and spectral information than were previously available for this object. We use these data to create a detailed three-dimensional model of the remnant, assuming linear expansion of the ejecta. With the observations and the model we study the general three-dimensional structure of the remnant, and the influence of an active region in the remnant - a "blob" - that we address in previous papers. We used the fibre-fed integral-field spectrograph VIMOS at the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory. The observations provide us with three-dimensional data in [OIII]5007 and [SII]6717,6731 at an 0.33x0.33 spatial sampling and a velocity resolution of about 35 km/s. We decomposed the two, partially overlapping, sulphur lines and used them to calculate electron densities across the remnant at high signal-to-noise ratio. Our analysis reveals a structure that stretches from the position of the "blob", and into the plane of the sky at a position angle of about 60 degrees. We speculate that the pulsar is positioned along this activity axis, where it has a velocity along the line of sight of a few hundred km/s. The "blob" is most likely a region of shock activity, as it is mainly bright in [SII]; future observations of [OII]3729 would be useful to test whether the S/O abundance ratio is higher than average for that location in the remnant. The striking resemblance in X-rays between the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) of SNR 0540-69.3 and the Crab, in combination with our findings in this paper, suggests that the symmetry axis is part of a torus in the PWN. (abridged), Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication by MNRAS

(Abridged) PSR J1357-6429 is a Vela-like radio pulsar that has been recently detected in X-rays and gamma-rays. It powers a compact tail-like X-ray pulsar wind nebula and X-ray-radio plerion associated with an extended TeV source HESS J1356-645. We present our deep optical observations with the Very Large Telescope to search for an optical counterpart of the pulsar and its nebula. We detect a point-like source in V, R, and I bands whose position is within the 1-sigma error circle of the X-ray position of the pulsar, and whose colours are distinct from those of ordinary stars. We consider it as a candidate optical counterpart of the pulsar. If it is indeed the counterpart, its 5-sigma offset from the radio pulsar position, measured about 9 yr earlier, implies that the transverse velocity of the pulsar is in the range of 1600--2000 km s^{-1} at the distance of 2--2.5 kpc, making it the fastest moving pulsar known. The direction of the estimated proper motion coincides with the extension of the pulsar's X-ray tail, suggesting that this is a jet. The tentative optical luminosity and efficiency of the pulsar are similar to those of the Vela pulsar, which also supports the optical identification. However, the candidate undergoes an unusually steep dereddened flux increase towards the infrared with a spectral index of about 5, that is not typical of optical pulsars. It implies a strong double-knee spectral break in the pulsar emission between the optical and X-rays. The reasons for the spectral steepness are unclear. It may be caused by a nebula knot projected onto the jet and strongly overlapping with the pulsar, as observed for the Crab, where the knot has a significantly steeper spectrum than the pulsar. We find no other signs of the pulsar nebula in the optical. Alternatively, the detected source may be a faint AGN, that has not yet been seen at other wavelengths., Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables

G292.0+1.8 is a Cas A-like supernova remnant that contains the young pulsar PSR J1124-5916 powering a compact torus-like pulsar wind nebula visible in X-rays. A likely counterpart to the nebula has been detected in the optical VRI bands. To confirm the counterpart candidate nature, we examined archival mid-infrared data obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Broad-band images taken at 4.5, 8, 24, and 70 microns were analyzed and compared with available optical and X-ray data. The extended counterpart candidate is firmly detected in the 4.5 and 8 micron bands. It is brighter and more extended in the bands than in the optical, and its position and morphology agree well with the coordinates and morphology of the torus-like pulsar wind nebula in X-rays. The source is not visible in 24 and 70 micron images, which are dominated by bright emission from the remnant shell and filaments. We compiled the infrared fluxes of the nebula, which probably contains a contribution from an unresolved pulsar in its center, with the optical and X-ray data. The resulting unabsorbed multiwavelength spectrum is described by power laws of significantly steeper slope in the infrared-optical than in X-rays, implying a double-knee spectral break between the optical and X-rays. The 24 and 70 microns flux upper limits suggest a second break and a flatter spectrum at the long wavelength limit. These features are common to two other pulsar wind nebulae associated with the remnants B0540-69.3 and 3C 58 and observed in all three ranges. The position, morphology, and spectral properties of the detected source allow us to comfirm that it is the infrared-optical counterpart to both the pulsar and its wind nebula system in the G292.0+1.8 supernova remnant., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

We present high spatial resolution optical imaging and polarization observations of the PSR B0540-69.3 and its highly dynamical pulsar wind nebula (PWN) performed with HST, and compare them with X-ray data obtained with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. We have studied the bright region southwest of the pulsar where a bright "blob" is seen in 1999. We show that it may be a result of local energy deposition around 1999, and that the emission from this then faded away. Polarization data from 2007 show that the polarization properties show dramatic spatial variations at the 1999 blob position arguing for a local process. Several other positions along the pulsar-"blob" orientation show similar changes in polarization, indicating previous recent local energy depositions. In X-rays, the spectrum steepens away from the "blob" position, faster orthogonal to the pulsar-"blob" direction than along this axis of orientation. This could indicate that the pulsar-"blob" orientation is an axis along where energy in the PWN is mainly injected, and that this is then mediated to the filaments in the PWN by shocks. We highlight this by constructing an [S II]-to-[O III]-ratio map. We argue, through modeling, that the high [S II]/[O III] ratio is not due to time-dependent photoionization caused by possible rapid Xray emission variations in the "blob" region. We have also created a multiwavelength energy spectrum for the "blob" position showing that one can, to within 2sigma, connect the optical and X-ray emission by a single power law. We obtain best power-law fits for the X-ray spectrum if we include "extra" oxygen, in addition to the oxygen column density in the interstellar gas of the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Milky Way. This oxygen is most naturally explained by the oxygen-rich ejecta of the supernova remnant. The oxygen needed likely places the progenitor mass in the 20 - 25 Msun range., Comment: Accepted by MNRAS on December 6th 2010, 18 pages, 15 figures. The article with full resolution figures is available here ftp://ftp.astro.su.se/pub/peter/papers/pwn0540_2010_corrected.pdf

G292.0+1.8 is the Cas A-like supernova remnant containing the young pulsar PSR J1124-5916, which powers a compact torus-like pulsar wind nebula with a jet visible in X-rays. We have performed deep optical observations of the pulsar field to detect the optical counterpart of the pulsar and its nebula. The observations were carried out using the direct imaging mode of FORS2 at the ESO VLT/UT1 telescope in the V, R, and I bands. We also analyzed archival images obtained with the Chandra/ACIS-I, ACIS-S, and HRC-S in X-rays. In all three optical bands we detect a faint elliptical nebulosity, whose brightness peak and center position are consistent at a sub-arcsecond level with the X-ray position of the pulsar. The field is densely packed with background stars, but after subtraction of these stars the morphology of the object and the orientation of its major axis appear to be in a good agreement with the brightest inner part of the pulsar nebula torus region seen almost edge on in X-rays. Within the nebulosity we do not resolve any point-like optical object that could be identified with the pulsar and estimate its contribution to the observed nebulosity flux as <~20%. Extracting the X-ray spectrum from the physical region equivalent to the optical source position and extent and combining that with the measured optical fluxes, we compile a tentative multi-wavelength spectrum of the inner part of the nebula. Within uncertainties of the interstellar extinction towards G292.0+1.8 it is reminiscent of either the Crab or PSR B540-69 and J0205+6449 pulsar wind nebula spectra. The position, morphology, and spectral properties of the detected nebulosity suggest that it is the likely optical counterpart of the pulsar plus its wind nebula system in G292.0+1.8., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, A&A, accepted

Aims: We performed deep optical observations of the field of an old, fast-moving radio pulsar PSR B1133+16 in an attempt to detect its optical counterpart and a bow shock nebula. Methods: The observations were carried out using the direct imaging mode of FORS1 at the ESO VLT/UT1 telescope in the B, R, and H_alpha bands. We also used archival images of the same field obtained with the VLT in the B band and with the Chandra/ACIS in X-rays. Results: In the B band we detected a faint (B=28.1+/-0.3) source that may be the optical counterpart of PSR B1133+16, as it is positionally consistent with the radio pulsar and with the X-ray counterpart candidate published earlier. Its upper limit in the R band implies a color index B-R <0.5, which is compatible with the index values for most pulsars identified in the optical range. The derived optical luminosity and its ratio to the X-ray luminosity of the candidate are consistent with expected values derived from a sample of pulsars detected in both spectral domains. No Balmer bow shock was detected, implying a low density of ambient matter around the pulsar. However, in the X-ray and H_alpha images we found the signature of a trail extending ~4"-5" behind the pulsar and coinciding with the direction of its proper motion. If confirmed by deeper studies, this is the first time such a trail has been seen in the optical and X-ray wavelengths. Conclusions: Further observations at later epochs are necessary to confirm the identification of the pulsar by the candidate's proper motion measurements., Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, A&A, accepted

We have obtained the spectrum of a middle-aged PSR B0656+14 in the 4300-9000 AA range with the ESO/VLT/FORS2. Preliminary results show that at 4600-7000 AA the spectrum is almost featureless and flat with a spectral index $\alpha_nu ~ -0.2 that undergoes a change to a positive value at longer wavelengths. Combining with available multiwavelength data suggests two wide, red and blue, flux depressions whose frequency ratio is about 2 and which could be the 1st and 2nd harmonics of electron/positron cyclotron absorption formed at magnetic fields ~10^8G in upper magnetosphere of the pulsar., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, To appear in Astrophysics and Space Science, Proceedings of "Isolated Neutron Stars: from the Interior to the Surface", eds. D. Page, R. Turolla and S. Zane

We have observed the middle-aged pulsar PSR B0656+14 with the prism and the NUV MAMA detector of the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to measure the pulsar spectrum and periodic pulsations in the near-ultraviolet (NUV). The pulsations are clearly detected, double-peaked and very similar to the optical pulse profile. The NUV pulsed fraction is 70 +/- 12%. The spectral slope of the dereddened phase-integrated spectrum in the 1800 - 3200 A range is 0.35 +/- 0.5 which together with the high pulse fraction indicates a non-thermal origin for the NUV emission. The total flux in the range 1700-3400 A is estimated to be 3.4 +/- 0.3e-15 erg/s/cm2 when corrected for E(B-V)=0.03. At a distance of 288 pc this corresponds to a luminosity 3.4e28 erg/s assuming isotropy of the emission. We compare the NUV pulse profile with observations from radio to gamma-rays. The first NUV sub-pulse is in phase with the gamma-ray pulse marginally detected with the EGRET, while the second NUV sub-pulse is similar both in shape and in phase with the non- thermal pulse in hard X-rays. This indicates a single origin of the non-thermal emission in the optical-NUV and in the X-rays. This is also supported by the observed NUV spectral slope, which is compatible with a blackbody plus power-law fit extended from the X-ray range, but dominated by the power-law component in most of the NUV range., Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, A&A, accepted

We have used the ESO NTT/EMMI and VLT/FORS1 instruments to examine the LMC supernova remnant 0540-69.3 as well as its pulsar (PSR B0540-69) and pulsar-powered nebula in the optical range.Spectroscopic observations of the remnant covering the range of 3600-7350 A centered on the pulsar produced results consistent with those of Kirshner et al. (1989), but also revealed many new emission lines. The most important are [Ne III] 3869, 3967 and Balmer lines of hydrogen. In both the central part of the remnant, as well as in nearby H II regions, the [O III] temperature is higher than about 20 000 K, but lower than previously estimated. For PSR B0540-69, previous optical data are mutually inconsistent: HST/FOS spectra indicate a significantly higher absolute flux and steeper spectral index than suggested by early time-resolved groundbased UBVRI photometry. We show that the HST and VLT spectroscopic data for the pulsar have more then about 50% nebular contamination, and that this is the reason for the previous difference. Using HST/WFPC2 archival images obtained in various bands from the red part of the optical to the NUV range we have performed an accurate photometric study of the pulsar, and find that the spectral energy distribution of the pulsar emission has a negative slope with 1.07 +/- 0.2. This is steeper than derived from previous UBVRI photometry, and also different from the almost flat spectrum of the Crab pulsar. We also estimate that the proper motion of the pulsar is 4.9 +/- 2.3 mas/yr, corresponding to a transverse velocity of 1190 +/- 560 km/s, projected along the southern jet of the pulsar nebula., Comment: To appear in the conference proceedings '35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. E1.4-0058-04, Paris, France, 18 - 25 July 2004'. Paper with full resolution images can be found at ftp://ftp.astro.su.se/pub/supernova/natalia/0540psr_snr_fin.pdf

Using available multiwavelength data for the pulsars of different ages detected in the optical range, we analyze the efficiencies of the conversion of the pulsar spindown power \dot{E} into the observed non-thermal luminosity L in different spectral domains. We find that these pulsars show significantly non-monotonic dependencies of the optical and X-ray efficiencies (\eta = L/\dot{E}) versus pulsar age with a pronounced minimum at the beginning of the middle-age epoch and comparably higher efficiencies of younger and older pulsars. In addition, we find a strong correlation between the optical and 2--10 keV X-ray luminosities of these pulsars that implies the same origin of their nonthermal emission in both spectral domains., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, Submitted to: Advances in Space Research, Proceedings of the 35th. COSPAR Scientific Assembly (Paris, France 18-25 July 2004), revised version

The young PSR B0540-69 (B0540) in the LMC is the only pulsar (except the Crab pulsar) for which a near-UV spectrum has been obtained. However, the absolute flux and spectral index of previously published HST/FOS data are significantly higher than suggested by broadband groundbased UBVRI photometry. Using our ESO/VLT/FORS1 spectral observations and HST/WFPC2 archival images we show that the old HST and new VLT spectral data are >50% contaminated by the Pulsar Wind Nebula (PWN) and that this is the reason for the above mentioned difference. We find that the broadband HST spectrum for the range 3300-8000 A is clearly non- thermal and has a negative spectral index of 1.07(+0.20/-0.19). This is dif- ferent from the almost flat spectrum of the Crab pulsar. The PWN of B0540 shows a clear asymmetry of the surface brightness distribution along the major axis of the PWN torus-like structure with respect to the pulsar position, also seen in Chandra X-ray images. This can be linked to the asymmetry of the surrounding SN ejecta. We find no significant spectral index variation over the PWN. Using HST archival images we estimate the proper motion of B0540 to be 4.9+/-2.3 mas/yr, i.e. a transverse velocity of 1190+/-560 km/s along the southern jet of the PWN. This can make PSR B0540 the third pulsar with a proper motion aligned with the jet axis of its PWN, which poses constraints on pulsar kick models. We discuss the interstellar absorption toward B0540 including the contributions from the Milky Way, LMC and the supernova ejecta, and compare unabsorbed multi- wavelength spectra of B0540 and the Crab pulsar, and their PWNs. Compared with the Crab, B0540 and its PWN show a significant depression in the optical range., Comment: 21 pages, 15 figures, A&A accepted (paper can be also be loaded from ftp://ftp.astro.su.se/pub/peter/0540/)

We report on deep BVR-imaging of the field of the nearby millisecond pulsar PSR J0030+0451 obtained with the ESO/VLT/FORS2. We do not detect any optical counterpart down to B>27.3, V>27.0 and R>27.0 in the immediate vicinity of the radio pulsar position. The closest detected sources are offset by >3'', and they are excluded as counterpart candidates by our astrometry. Using our upper limits in the optical, and including recent XMM-Newton X-ray data we show that any nonthermal power-law spectral component of neutron star magnetospheric origin, as suggested by the interpretation of X-ray data, must be suppressed by at least a factor of ~500 in the optical range. This either rules out the nonthermal interpretation or suggests a dramatic spectral break in the 0.003-0.1 keV range of the power-law spectrum. Such a situation has never been observed in the optical/X-ray spectral region of ordinary pulsars, and the origin of such a break is unclear. An alternative interpretation with a purely thermal X-ray spectrum is consistent with our optical upper limits. In this case the X-ray emission is dominated by hot polar caps of the pulsar., Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX aa.cls style, 5 EPS figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

We report the B band optical observations of an old (17.5 Myr) radiopulsar PSR B0950+08 obtained with the Suprime-Cam at the Subaru telescope. We detected a faint object, B=27.07(16). Within our astrometrical accuracy it coincides with the radio position of the pulsar and with the object detected earlier by Pavlov et al. (1996) in UV with the HST/FOC/F130LP. The positional coincidence and spectral properties of the object suggest that it is the optical counterpart of PSR B0950+08. Its flux in the B band is two times higher than one would expect from the suggested earlier Rayleigh-Jeans interpretation of the only available HST observations in the adjacent F130LP band. Based on the B and F130LP photometry of the suggested counterpart and on the available X-ray data we argue in favour of nonthermal origin of the broad-band optical spectrum of PSR B0950+08, as it is observed for the optical emission of the younger, middle-aged pulsars PSR B0656+14 and Geminga. At the same time, the optical efficiency of PSR B0950+08, estimated from its spin-down power and the detected optical flux, is by several orders of magnitude higher than for these pulsars, and comparable with that for the much younger and more energetic Crab pulsar. We cannot exclude the presence of a compact, about 1'', faint pulsar nebula around PSR B0950+08, elongated perpendicular to the vector of its proper motion, unless it is not a projection of a faint extended object on the pulsar position., Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, aa.cls style, 5 PS figures, submitted to A&A. Image is available in FITS format at http://www.ioffe.rssi.ru/astro/NSG/obs/0950-subaru

We present the results of the broad-band photometry of the nearby middle-aged radio pulsar PSR B0656+14 and its neighborhood obtained with the 6-meter telescope of the SAO RAS and with the Hubble Space Telescope. The broad-band spectral flux $F_\nu$ of the pulsar decreases with increasing frequency in the near-IR range and increases with frequency in the near-UV range. The increase towards UV can be naturally interpreted as the Rayleigh-Jeans tail of the soft thermal component of the X-ray spectrum emitted from the surface of the cooling neutron star. Continuation of the power-law component, which dominates in the high-energy tail of the X-ray spectrum, to the IR-optical-UV frequencies is consistent with the observed fluxes. This suggests that the non-thermal pulsar radiation may be of the same origin in a broad frequency range from IR to hard X-rays. We also studied 4 objects detected in the pulsar's 5" neighborhood., Comment: 12 pages, 20 figures, submitted to A&A. Images are available in FITS format at http://www.ioffe.rssi.ru/astro/NSG/obs/0656-phot.html

Fields of Geminga, PSR B0950+08, PSR J1908+0734 and PSR J0108-1431 have been observed within the program of optical investigation of nearby neutron stars carried out with the 6m telescope. Our multicolour BVR_cI_c photometry has yielded the following magnitudes of Geminga: V=25.3+/-0.4; R_c=25.4+/-0.3. The estimates of the 3\sigma upper limits in the B and I_c bands are 25.4 and 24.9, respectively. This is in agreement with previous observations of Geminga. We have suggested candidate for optical counterpart of PSR B0950+08, with R_c=25.4+/-0.3. When compared to the HST data obtained in UV its flux shows that this old pulsar can be brighter in near-IR than in near-UV. We have obtained for the first time images of the fields of PSR J1908+0734 and PSR J0108-1431. Although no optical counterparts have been detected, the magnutude upper limits obtained suggest further observations of these pulsars., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, to be published in Bulletin of the Special Astrophysicl Observatory, v.49; figures of higher resolution available at ftp://serv.sao.ru/pub2/grb/psr

We study the thermodynamic properties of a partially ionized hydrogen plasma in strong magnetic fields, B ~ 10^{12}-10^{13} G, typical of neutron stars. The properties of the plasma depend significantly on the quantum-mechanical sizes and binding energies of the atoms, which are strongly modified by thermal motion across the field. We use new fitting formulas for the atomic binding energies and sizes, based on accurate numerical calculations and valid for any state of motion of the atom. In particular, we take into account decentered atomic states, neglected in previous studies of thermodynamics of magnetized plasmas. We also employ analytic fits for the thermodynamic functions of nonideal fully ionized electron-ion Coulomb plasmas. This enables us to construct an analytic model of the free energy. An ionization equilibrium equation is derived, taking into account the strong magnetic field effects and the nonideality effects. This equation is solved by an iteration technique. Ionization degrees, occupancies, and the equation of state are calculated., Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures (embedded using epsf.sty), REVTeX3. V2: two curves on the right panel of Fig. 8 are corrected. V3: a misprint (missed brackets) in Eq. (55) is corrected

We study the heat capacity and neutrino emission reactions (direct and modified Urca processes, nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung, Cooper pairing of nucleons) in matter of supranuclear density of the neutron star cores with superfluid neutrons and protons. Various superfluidity types are analysed (singlet-state pairing and two types of triplet-state pairing, without and with nodes of the gap at a nucleon Fermi surface). The results are used for cooling simulations of isolated neutron stars. Both, the standard cooling and the cooling enhanced by the direct Urca process, are strongly affected by nucleon superfluidity. Comparison of cooling theory of isolated neutron stars with observations of their thermal radiation may give stringent constraints on the critical temperatures of the neutron and proton superfluidities in the neutron star cores., Comment: LaTeX, 85 pages, 23 figures, Physics - Uspekhi (accepted)

Cooling of neutron stars (NSs) with superfluid cores is simulated taking into account neutrino emission produced by Cooper pairing of nucleons. The critical temperatures of neutron and proton superfluidities, $T_{cn}$ and $T_{cp}$, are assumed to be constant over the NS core, and treated as free parameters. They are constrained using the surface temperatures $T_s$ of isolated NSs (RX J0822-43, PSR 1055-52, 1E 1207-52, Vela, Geminga, PSR 0656+14, RX J0002+62), obtained by interpretation of observed thermal radiation either with black body spectrum or with hydrogen atmosphere models., Comment: LaTeX, 14 pages, 10 figures, to appear in Astron. Lett

We study hydrogen plasmas at magnetic fields B ~ 10^{12}-10^{13} Gauss, densities ~ 10^{-3}-10^3 g/cc and temperatures T ~ 10^{5.5}-10^{6.5} K, typical of photospheres of middle-aged cooling neutron stars. We construct an analytical free energy model of the partially ionized plasma, including into consideration the decentred atomic states, which arise due to the thermal motion across the strong field. We show that these states, neglected in previous studies, may contribute appreciably into thermodynamics of the outer atmospheric layers at density below 1 g/cc and typical B and T. We take into account Coulomb non-ideality of the ionized component of the plasma affected by intense magnetic field. Ionization degree, occupancies and equation of state are calculated, and their dependences on the temperature, density and magnetic field are studied., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX using cpp.sty (included) and epsf.sty. Proc. of the Workshop on Nonideal Plasmas PNP-9, Rostock, Germany, 7-11 Sept. 1998. To be published in Contrib. Plasma Phys

We study partially ionized hydrogen plasma at temperatures T = 10^{5.5}-10^{6.5} K and magnetic fields B = 10^{12}-10^{13} G, typical of photospheres of isolated neutron stars. We construct an analytic model of the plasma free energy and derive a generalized Saha equation which is used to obtain the opacities., Comment: 4 pages, 2 embedded figures, LaTeX using epsf.sty, neu.sty, and tron.sty (included). PostScript version also available at http://www.ioffe.rssi.ru/dtastrop.html Published in "Neutron Stars and Pulsars," eds. N. Shibazaki et al. (Universal Academy Press, Tokyo, 1998) p. 161