Vela Pulsar: Neutron Star-Ring-Jet
Credit: G.Garmire et al. (PSU),
NASA
Explanation:
This
stunning image from the orbiting
Chandra X-ray
Observatory is centered on the Vela pulsar -- the collapsed
stellar core within
the Vela supernova remnant
some 800 light-years distant.
The Vela pulsar is a
neutron star.
More massive than the Sun, it has the density of an atomic nucleus.
About 12 miles in diameter it
spins 10 times a second as it hurtles through the
supernova debris cloud.
The
pulsar's electric and magnetic fields accelerate
particles to nearly the speed of light, powering the compact
x-ray emission nebula revealed
in the Chandra picture.
The cosmic crossbow shape is over 0.2 light-years across,
composed of an arrow-like jet emanating from the polar region of
the
neutron star and bow-like inner and outer arcs believed
to be the edges of tilted rings of x-ray
emitting high energy particles.
Impressively, the swept back compact nebula indicates the
neutron star is moving up and to the right in this
picture, exactly along the direction of the x-ray jet.
The Vela pulsar (and
associated
supernova remnant) was created by a massive
star which exploded over 10,000 years ago.
Its awesome x-ray rings and jet are reminiscent of another
well-known pulsar powered system,
the Crab Nebula.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
