1,000,000 Giant Pulses from the Crab Pulsar

A groundbreaking analysis of over one million giant pulses from the Crab pulsar, captured by Jodrell Bank Observatory's 42-foot telescope since 2012, reveals critical insights into their energy distributions and potential links to Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). Giant pulses, up to 1000 times brighter than average, are rare among pulsars but provide unique clues about high-energy astrophysical phenomena. The study's extensive dataset enables detailed examination of pulse-width variations and the high-energy tail of energy distributions, which could improve the detectability of extragalactic giant-pulsing pulsars. This work also explores whether FRBs share a common mechanism with giant pulses, offering new avenues for understanding extreme cosmic events.

Mickaliger, M. B., Stappers, B. W., Bassa, C. G., & Fletcher, A. G. (2017). 1,000,000 Giant Pulses from the Crab Pulsar. Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 13(S337), 380–381. https://doi.org/10.1017/s174392131700922x