Chandra detection of the high magnetic field radio pulsar J1119-6127 in the supernova remnant G292.2-0.5

We report the Chandra Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer detection of the X-ray counterpart of the high magnetic field, similar to1600 yr old, 407 ms radio pulsar J1119-6127 associated with the supernova remnant G292.2-0.5. The powerful imaging capability of Chandra also unveiled, for the first time, a faint 3" x 6" pulsar wind nebula (PWN) at energies above similar to1.2 keV. The X-ray emission from the pulsar and its associated nebula is well described by an absorbed power law model with a photon index Gamma = 2.2(-0.3)(+0.6). The corresponding 0.5-10 keV unabsorbed X-ray luminosity is (5.5(-3.3)(+10)) x 10(32) ergs s(-1) (at 6 kpc). When compared to two other pulsars with similar spin and magnetic properties, J1119-6127 stands out as being the least efficient at turning rotational kinetic energy into X-ray emission. This study shows that high magnetic field radio pulsars can be significant X-ray emitters, and Chandra is needed to study the emission properties of the pulsars and associated faint PWNs.