Gamma-ray Pulsars with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

David Thompson

NASA Goddard

Pulsars, which are rapidly rotating magnetized neutron stars, are natural laboratories for physics under extreme conditions. Gamma radiation has now been seen from more than 100 pulsars, thanks to observations with the Large Area Telescope on the Fermi Gamma- ray Space Telescope. Found in approximately equal numbers are three types of gamma- ray pulsars: young radio-loud pulsars, young radio-quiet pulsars, and older millisecond pulsars. Fermi observations have also led to the discovery of new radio pulsars. This talk will present an overview of the Fermi observatory, how gamma-ray pulsars are found, what we have learned about these energetic objects, and how you might discover a gamma-ray pulsar.