PSR0540-69:
neutron star and supernova remnant |
31/08/1999
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Images
from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory reveal previously unobserved features
in the remnants of supernova explosions. Remnant PSR 0540-69 shows dramatic
new details of the prodigious production of energetic particles by a rapidly
rotating, highly magnetized neutron star, as well as the enormous shell
structures produced by the explosions. |
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Image
Credit:
NASA, CXC, SAO |
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PSR
0540-69 is a neutron star, or pulsar, that is rotating very rapidly, making
a complete rotation every one-twentieth of a second. It is similar in many
ways to the famous Crab Nebula pulsar. Both objects are spinning rapidly,
are about 1,000 years old and are surrounded by a large cloud of gas and
high energy particles. The surrounding cloud in both cases is powered by
the conversion of rotational energy of the neutron star into high energy
particles through the combined action of rapid rotation and a strong magnetic
field. PSR 0540-69 is 180,000 light years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud,
one the Milky Way's small satellite galaxies. |
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Constellation:
Dorado |
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