H-I LINE MEASUREMENTS OF PULSARS TOWARDS THE GUM-NEBULA AND THE CARINA-ARM

We have observed 21-cm absorption and emission spectra in the directio n of seven southern pulsars with the Parkes telescope in order to deri ve their kinematic distances and to study the interstellar medium. For the first time, we have successfully obtained H I absorption measurem ents for PSRs J0942 - 5552, J1048 - 5832, J1224 - 6424 and J1401 - 635 7, We have also significantly improved the sensitivity and resolution on PSRs J0738 - 4042, J0837 - 4135 and J1157 - 6224, the spectra of wh ich have been measured previously, and obtained the transverse velocit ies of PSRs J0837 - 4135 and J0942 - 5552 by analysing their scintilla tion properties. We show that the Taylor & Cordes distance model works reasonably well for pulsars located behind the Gum nebula. Following from our earlier work, we show further evidence for strong deviations from a simple Galactic rotation law in the velocities of the H I gas t owards the Carina arm.