PSR B1509-58

PSR B1509-58

X-rays from Chandra are gold; Infrared from WISE in red, green and blue/max.
Observation data
Epoch       Equinox
Constellation Circinus
Right ascension 15h 13m 55.52s
Declination −59° 08′ 08.80″
Characteristics
Spectral type Pulsar
Astrometry
Distance170,000 ly
Database references
SIMBADdata

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 appears approximately 1,700 years old,[2] and it 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." Which is also known by name "Hand of God". [4] Spin rate is "almost 7 times per second".

X-rays from Chandra are red, green, and blue/max.

References

  1. ↑ Seward F. D., Harnden Jr F. R., 1982, ApJ, 256, L45
  2. ↑ "How Old Is It?". Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. 2009-04-03.
  3. ↑ "PSR B1509-58: A Young Pulsar Shows its Hand". Harvard. 2009-04-03.
  4. ↑ "NASA photos show giant cosmic hand". CNN. 2009-04-14.


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