The Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope Discovers the Pulsar in the Young Galactic Supernova Remnant CTA 1

Energetic young pulsarsand expanding blast waves( supernova remnants, SNRs) are the most visible remains after massive stars, ending their lives, explode in core-collapse supernovae. The Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescopehas unveiled a radio quiet pulsarlocated near the center of the compact synchrotron nebula inside the supernova remnantCTA 1. The pulsar, discovered through its gamma-raypulsations, has a period of 316.86 ms, a period derivative of 3.614 x 10{sup -13} s s{sup -1}. Its characteristic age of 10{sup 4} years is comparable to that estimated for the SNR. It is conjectured that most unidentified Galactic gamma raysources associated with star-forming regions and SNRs are such young pulsars.