ROSAT observations of the Vela pulsar

The ROSAT HRI was used to monitor X-ray emission from the Vela pulsar. Six observations span 2.5 yr and three glitches. The summed data yield a determination of the pulse shape, and X-ray emission from the pulsar is found to be 12% pulsed with one broad and two narrow peaks. One observation occurred 15 days after a large glitch. No change in pulse structure was observed, and any change in X-ray luminosity, if present, was less than 3%. Implications for neutron star structure are discussed.