2002ApJ...579L..25C

We report the discovery of PSR J1747-2958, a radio pulsar with period P=98 ms and dispersion measure DM=101 cm^–3 pc, in a deep observation with the Parkes telescope of the axially symmetric ``Mouse'' radio nebula (G359.23-0.82). Timing measurements of the newly discovered pulsar reveal a characteristic age P/2P{dot}=25 kyr and spin-down luminosity E{dot}=2.5x10<sup>36</sup> ergs.s<sup>–1</sup>. The pulsar (timing) position is consistent with that of the Mouse's ``head.'' The distance derived from the DM (~2 kpc) is consistent with the Mouse's distance limit from H I absorption (<5.5 kpc). Also, the X-ray energetics of the Mouse are compatible with being powered by the pulsar. Therefore, we argue that PSR J1747-2958, moving at supersonic speed through the local interstellar medium, powers this unusual nonthermal nebula. The pulsar is a weak radio source, with a period-averaged flux density at 1374 MHz of 0.25 mJy and a luminosity of ∼1 mJy.kpc².