Variability of the Vela Pulsar Wind Nebula Observed with [ITAL]Chandra[/ITAL]

Abstract

The observations of the pulsar windnebula (PWN) around the Vela pulsar with the Advanced CCD ImagingSpectrometer aboard the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, taken on 2000 April 30and November 30, reveal its complex morphology reminiscent of thatof the Crab PWN. Comparison of the two observations shows changesup to 30% in the surface brightness of the PWN features. Some ofthe PWN elements show appreciable shifts, up to a few arcseconds(~10 16 cm), and/or spectral changes. Such variations holdthe potential to provide a new diagnostics for the study of PWNe.