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   62061
   We request two 40 ksec ASCA observations of the recently discovered X-
   ray pulsar 1E 1841-045. The pulsar is very likely associated with the
   young (~2,000) supernova remnant Kes 73. Its slow 12-s rotation period
   is unprecedented for its youth, raising the intriguing possibility that
   the pulsar was born with an enormous surface dipolar field of B ~ 8 X
   10E14 G, roughly fifty times larger than the next highest known pulsar
   field. The proposed observations, separated by several months will each
   yield both an independent period and spectral measurement - this should
   conclusively confirm or deny the important magnetar hypothesis which
   can potentially establish a new class of astrophysical objects.
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