The Crab Pulsar Emission: Giant Pulses and a Possible Precursor to the Interpulse

Abstract

We have examined approximately 550,000 pulses from PSR 0531+21 and have detected 1814 giant pulses 6σ or more above the background noise level. We hae measured the relative arrival times and the energies of both the main pulse and interpulse, and have found that the giant pulses arrive somewhat earlier than the peaks in the average profile. Approximately 7% of the main pulse and 1% of the interpulse energy is in the form of giant pulses 8σ more above the background level. No giant pulses have been detected in the precursor at the 8σ level. In addition we have found a slight, although apparently real, rise in emission in the region where an interpulse precursor would be if the emission is symmetric.