The proper motion of the central compact object RX j0822-4300 in the supernova remnant Puppis A

Abstract

Using the High Resolution Camera on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we have re-examined the proper motion of the central compact object RX J0822-4300 in the supernova remnant Puppis A. New data from 2010 August, combined with three archival data sets from as early as 1999 December, provide a baseline of 3886days (more than10.5yr) to perform the measurement. Correlating the four positions of RX J0822-4300 measured in each data set implies a projected proper motion of μ = 71 ± 12 mas yr-1. For a distance of 2kpc, this proper motion is equivalent to a recoil velocity of 672 ± 115 km s-1. The position angle is found to be 244° ± 11°. Both the magnitude and direction of the proper motion are in agreement with RX J0822-4300 originating near the optical expansion center of the supernova remnant. For a displacement of 371 ± 31 arcsec between its birthplace and today's position, we deduce an age of (5.2 ± 1.0) ×10 3yr for RX J0822-4300. The age inferred from the neutron star proper motion and filament motions can be considered as two independent measurements of the same quantity. They average to 4450 ± 750yr for the age of the supernova remnant Puppis A. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.