The PSR 1800-21/G8.7-0.1 association: A view from ROSAT

Abstract

We present the first imaging X-ray observation of the W30 complex which contains theGalactic SNR G8.7-0.1 and the young radio pulsar PSR 1800-21 as wellas a number of discrete ultracompact H II regions. The pulsar PSR1800-21 is detected as a count rate of 1.5 +/- 0.5/ks and diffuseemission from the northern extent of G8.7-0.1 observed. The datasupport an association of G8.7-0.1 and PSR 1800-21, and the peculiarmorphology can be explained if the supernova which gave birth to PSR1800-21 occurred within, or very near, a molecular cloud. The suggestedscenario removes the requirement of a large transverse velocity forthe pulsar, one of the greatest dificulties with the association.