Detection of optical pulses from the Vela pulsar

It is stated that pulsed optical-emission has been detected from the Vela pulsar, PSR 0833-45. This emission had a time averaged blue magnitude of approximately 25.2 min. The observations were made on three nights in January 1977 at the f/15 focus of the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian telescope at Siding Spring, Australia. A twin photometer with two apertures of 5 inches arc diameter, spaced by 17.5 inches, was used for all the observations, together with two photomultipliers having S-20 photocathodes. The method of data analysis is described and the data discussed. The optical pulse shape was double-peaked, with a component separation of 22 +- 2 ms. The second pulse was stronger, but further observations are required to investigate detailed pulse structure. (U.K.)