NASA X-ray Telescopes Reveal the 'Bones' of a Ghostly Cosmic Hand

NASA X-ray Telescopes Reveal the 'Bones' of a Ghostly Cosmic Hand


NASA's Chandra and Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) telescopes have joined forces to capture a remarkable image of a cosmic hand. The image reveals the magnetic field structure of a pulsar wind nebula, which is a cloud of energetic particles ejected by a rotating neutron star.

The nebula, known as MSH 15-52, is located about 16,000 light-years from Earth. It is about 30 light-years long and 15 light-years wide. The pulsar is located at the base of the "palm" of the nebula.

The Chandra telescope has previously observed MSH 15-52, but the new IXPE data provides a new view of the nebula by revealing the magnetic field lines. The magnetic field lines are shown in blue in the image.

The magnetic field lines play an important role in shaping the nebula. The charged particles that produce the X-rays travel along the magnetic field lines. This is why the nebula has a hand-like shape, with the fingers and thumb pointing along the magnetic field lines.

The IXPE data also reveals that the magnetic field in the nebula is more complex than previously thought. There are several regions where the magnetic field is twisted and tangled. This suggests that the nebula has a turbulent history.

The new image of MSH 15-52 is a reminder of the power of NASA's X-ray telescopes to reveal the hidden secrets of the universe. By studying the magnetic field structure of pulsar wind nebulae, astronomers can learn more about the formation and evolution of these objects.

What are pulsar wind nebulae?

Pulsar wind nebulae are formed when a rotating neutron star, or pulsar, ejects a wind of charged particles. The wind collides with the surrounding interstellar gas, creating a shock wave. The shock wave accelerates the charged particles to high energies, which produce X-rays.

Pulsar wind nebulae are often found in the shape of shells, rings, or jets. The shape of the nebula is determined by the direction of the pulsar's wind and the structure of the surrounding interstellar gas.

What is the IXPE telescope?

The IXPE telescope is NASA's first X-ray telescope that can measure the polarization of X-rays. Polarization is a property of light that describes the direction of the electric field oscillations.

By measuring the polarization of X-rays, astronomers can learn more about the magnetic field structure of the objects that emit the X-rays. This information can be used to study a wide range of objects, including pulsar wind nebulae, black holes, and neutron stars.


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