What's a natal kick in reference to astrophysics?

[golmschenk]

I'm reading a research paper and they bring up the term "natal kick". And google didn't turn up a great explanation immediately so I thought I'd check here. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

 

[zhermes]

In general it refers to a velocity bestowed at birth. Most often it pertains to neutron stars which often receive large 'kicks' at birth due to anisotropies in their in the supernovae which form them.

Might I ask which paper you're reading?

 

[golmschenk]

Not a classic or anything. I'm an undergraduate and I'm working with two of the authors.

The Three-Dimensional Structure of Cassiopeia

I forget am I allowed to just post a link here? Remove it please if not:
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1011.3858v1

Edit: Also, it's not a major part of the paper. It just mentions it at the beginning as being related to the topic at hand.

Edit2: Oh yes, almost forgot! Thanks for your quick and helpful reply!