PSR B1509-58
| Observation data Epoch Equinox | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Circinus |
| Right ascension | 15h 13m 55.52s |
| Declination | −59° 08′ 08.80″ |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | Pulsar |
| Astrometry | |
| Distance | 17,000 ly |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
PSR B1509-58 is a pulsar approximately 17,000 light-years away in the constellation of Circinus discovered by the Einstein X-Ray Observatory in 1982.[1] It is approximately 1700 years old[2] and sits in a nebula that spans about 150 light years.[3] NASA described the star as "a rapidly spinning neutron star which is spewing energy out into the space around it to create complex and intriguing structures, including one that resembles a large cosmic hand." [4] Spin rate is "almost 7 times per second".
Gallery
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Tour of PSR B1509-58.
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Sequence of PSR B1509-58 images.
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Size comparisons: PSR B1509-58 and Crab Nebula.
References
- ↑ Seward F. D., Harnden Jr F. R., 1982, ApJ, 256, L45
- ↑ "How Old Is It?". Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. 2009-04-03.
- ↑ "PSR B1509-58: A Young Pulsar Shows its Hand". Harvard. 2009-04-03.
- ↑ "NASA photos show giant cosmic hand". CNN. 2009-04-14.
External links
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