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B1509-58 in SNR G320.4-1.2:
Chandra Examines A Quadrillion-volt Pulsar
This Chandra image gave astronomers their first view of the energetic and complex nebula surrounding the young pulsar PSR B1509-58. The blue and purple colors indicate
X-rays emitted by high-energy particles of matter and
anti-matter which stream away from the pulsar. The
pulsar itself is the bright white source at the center
of the nebula.
A thin jet, almost 20 light years in length, extends
to the lower left, and traces a beam of particles being
shot out from the pulsar's south pole at more than 130
million miles per hour. Just above the pulsar can be
seen a small arc of X-ray emission, which marks a shock
wave produced by particles flowing away from the
pulsar's equator.
The green cloud near the top of the image is due to
multimillion degree Celsius gas. This gas, possibly a
remnant of the supernova explosion associated with the
creation of the pulsar, may have been heated by
collisions with high-energy particles produced by the
pulsar.
| Fast Facts for B1509-58 in SNR G320.4-1.2: |
| Credit |
NASA/MIT/B.Gaensler et al. |
| Scale |
Image is 10 x 14 arcmin |
| Category |
Supernovas & Supernova Remnants, Neutron Stars/X-ray Binaries |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 15h 13m 55.60s | Dec -59° 08' 09.20" |
| Constellation |
Circinus |
| Observation Dates |
August 14, 2000
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| Observation Time |
5 hours |
| Obs. IDs |
754
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| Color Code |
Intensity |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| Distance Estimate |
About 19,000 light years |
| Release Date |
September 06, 2001 |
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