PSR B1509−58

X-rays from Chandra are gold; infrared from WISE in red, green and blue/max.
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Circinus
Right ascension 15h 13m 55.52s[1]
Declination −59° 08′ 08.8″[1]
Characteristics
Spectral type Pulsar
Astrometry
Distance17,000 ly
Details
Rotation0.1502 s[1]
Database references
SIMBADdata
The location of PSR B1509-58 (circled in red)

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.[2] It appears approximately 1,700 years old,[3] and it sits in a nebula that spans about 150 light years.[4] 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." It is also known by the name "Hand of God".[5] The spin rate is "almost 7 times per second".

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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Caraveo, P. A.; Mereghetti, S.; Bignami, G. F. (1994). "An Optical Counterpart for PSR 1509-58". The Astrophysical Journal. 423: L125. Bibcode:1994ApJ...423L.125C. doi:10.1086/187252.
  2. ↑ Seward, F. D.; Harnden, F. R. Jr. (May 1982). "A new, fast X-ray pulsar in the supernova remnant MSH 15-52". The Astrophysical Journal. 256: L45. Bibcode:1982ApJ...256L..45S. doi:10.1086/183793.
  3. ↑ "How Old Is It?". Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. 2009-04-03. Archived from the original on 2014-01-10. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
  4. ↑ "PSR B1509-58: A Young Pulsar Shows its Hand". Harvard. 2009-04-03.
  5. ↑ "NASA photos show giant cosmic hand". CNN. 2009-04-14.


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