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The possibility of accretion onto radio pulsars

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Abstract

As an explanation for the observed long-term variations in pulsar emission1–3, an accretion model is proposed here which permits interstellar neutral hydrogen to infiltrate the light-cylinder and, following ionisation, to modulate the pulsed emission. This would suggest that pulars have an eventful passage through the interstellar medium, and do not always remain as pulsars.

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  1. Astronomische Institute der Universität Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 71, D-5300, Bonn, FRG

    G. A. E. WRIGHT

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  1. G. A. E. WRIGHT
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WRIGHT, G. The possibility of accretion onto radio pulsars. Nature 280, 40–41 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/280040a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/280040a0

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