PSR B0826-34: Sometimes a rotating radio transient

Abstract

We report on the detection of sporadic, strong single pulses coexisting with a periodic weak emission in the duration of weak mode of PSR B0826-34. The intensities and durations of these pulses are comparable with those of the subpulses in the strong mode, and these pulses are distributed within the phase ranges of the main-pulse and interpulse of the strong-mode average profile. These results suggest that there is very possibly sporadic, very short timescale turn-on of strong-mode emission during the weak-mode state of the pulsar. The emission features of the bursts of strong pulses of PSR B0826-34 during its weak-mode state are similar to those of the rotating radio transients (RRATs). PSR B0826-34 is the second known pulsar, which oscillates between pulsar-like and RRAT-like modes. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.