Science and Exploration

Multiwavelength Images Of Pulsar PSR B1509-58

By Keith Cowing

Status Report

NASA

March 17, 2023

Filed under 2MASS Survey, Astronomy, PSR B1509-58, Pulsar, telescope

Multiwavelength Images Of Pulsar PSR B1509-58 — pulsar PSR B1509-58

NASA

This image shows multiwavelength perspectives on the pulsar PSR B1509-58. The 2 Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) infrared images shows a large area of the sky around the pulsar.

The SuperCOSMOS optical image is closer in and shows a surrounding cloud of gas. Chandra X-ray data show the effects of an energetic wind powered by the pulsar. The X-ray emission results from very energetic electrons spiraling in a magnetic field.

Finger-like structures extend to the upper right and energize knots of material in the gas cloud. The Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST) radio data shows the larger structure of the supernova remnant SNR G320.4-1.2 that encircles the pulsar PSR B1509.

Image credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/SAO/P.Slane, et al.); Infrared (2MASS/UMass/IPAC-Caltech); Radio (Molonglo Obs. Synthesis Tel.)) Larger image