******************************************************                         
    PR # 32123                                                                   
     Only a small fraction of the rotational energy loss rate of the Vela        
     pulsar appears as direct radiation from the pulsar and its immediate        
     surroundings; it still remains a mystery how the pulsar disposes of         
     this power. Common wisdom tells us there must exist some relativistic       
     outflow emanating from Vela. We have recently uncovered evidence in         
     the X-ray channel from ROSAT that the outflows are in the form of a         
     jet rather than equatorial wind as has been previously speculated.          
     We propose to examine the spectrum of this jet in two segments as a         
     means of determining its composition.  A synchrotron spectrum would         
     indicate electrons accelerated in Vela's magnetosphere; a thermal   s       
     pectrum demonstrates that we are only seeing a ``cocoon'' of hot gas        
    surrounding the jet.                                                         
  ******************************************************