NASA’s advanced X-ray space telescopes have captured a captivating image resembling the “bones” of a hand in the vast expanse of space. This celestial formation has its origins in the remnants of a collapsed star, which is emitting plumes of energized matter and antimatter into space.
The development of X-ray technology can be traced back to 1895 when German physicist William Röntgen made a groundbreaking discovery. While experimenting with cathode rays and a Crookes tube, Röntgen noticed the presence of X-rays. These rays exhibited the ability to penetrate various substances, including human tissue, while leaving bones and metals visible. This remarkable discovery led to the naming of these rays as “X-rays,” with “X” symbolizing the unknown.
The intriguing celestial “hand” featured in the X-ray image has a remarkable history. Approximately 1,500 years ago, a massive star within our galaxy exhausted its nuclear fuel, causing it to implode and give rise to a neutron star. These neutron stars, particularly those with strong magnetic fields known as pulsars, act as cosmic laboratories, showcasing unique physical phenomena beyond replication on Earth.
One of the most captivating manifestations linked to young pulsars is the creation of “pulsar wind nebulae.” These phenomena result from rapid jets of matter and antimatter being expelled from the pulsar.
Almost two decades ago, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory identified the pulsar PSR B1509-58, revealing a pulsar wind nebula resembling a human hand. Located 16,000 light-years away from Earth, this celestial wonder, known as MSH 15-52, features the pulsar situated at the “palm” of the cosmic hand.
Recently, NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) embarked on a 17-day observation mission of this celestial marvel. IXPE data has shed light on the magnetic field within the hand-shaped nebula. The charged particles emitting X-rays travel along the magnetic field, shaping the structure of the nebula, akin to how bones shape a hand.
The observations from IXPE have also illuminated the phenomenon of X-ray polarization, revealing remarkably stable and straight magnetic fields in specific regions of MSH 15-52. This indicates minimal turbulence within the pulsar wind nebula.
The research findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of particles in the proximity of pulsars, shedding light on the role of pulsars as particle accelerators.
Furthermore, the study has identified similar magnetic patterns in other pulsar wind nebulae, suggesting commonalities among these cosmic entities.
The findings, now published in The Astrophysical Journal, contribute to our understanding of these cosmic phenomena and the influence of pulsars on their surroundings.
If you got it, haunt it.
The “bones” of a ghostly cosmic hand from a pulsar wind nebula have been revealed by our @ChandraXRay and IXPE space telescopes: https://t.co/umjVBb9Cdd pic.twitter.com/0H4xGbJT4D
— NASA (@NASA) October 30, 2023
