Calvera (X-ray source)

Calvera
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Ursa Minor
Right ascension 14h 12m 56.0s
Declination +79° 22′ 04″
Apparent magnitude (V) ?
Distance625 ± 375 ly
(190 ± 110 pc)
Spectral typeX
Other designations
RX J1412.9+7922

In astronomy, Calvera is a nickname—based on the villain in the 1960 film The Magnificent Seven—of an X-ray source known as 1RXS J141256.0+792204 in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey Bright Source Catalog (RASS/BSC). It lies in the constellation Ursa Minor and is identified as an isolated neutron star.[1] It is one of the closest of its kind to Earth.[2]

The object is so-named because the seven previously known isolated neutron stars are known collectively as 'The Magnificent Seven'.

References

  1. ↑ "Rare dead star found near Earth". August 20, 2007. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
  2. ↑ Rutledge, Robert; Fox, Derek; Shevchuk, Andrew (2008). "Discovery of an Isolated Compact Object at High Galactic Latitude". The Astrophysical Journal. 672 (2): 1137–43. arXiv:0705.1011. Bibcode:2008ApJ...672.1137R. doi:10.1086/522667.
  • Pennsylvania State University. "Possible closest neutron star to Earth found" (Press release). August 20, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007.


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