The pulsar velocities and their binary origins (invited review)

The observed proper-motions are shown to indicate that most pulsars come from binary systems. Due to a remarkable relationship between the speed of a pulsar and that of its progenitor in orbit, it is concluded that these binaries went through a common-envelope phase. This provides independent support to similar conclusions drawn from stellar evolution considerations.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.