PSR B1509−58

PSR B1509−58 is a pulsar approximately at a distance of 17,000 light-years in the constellation of Circinus discovered by the Einstein X-Ray Observatory in 1982.^[2] Its diameter is only 12 miles (19 km). It is located in a Pulsar wind nebula created by itself, that was caused as a remnant of the Supernova (SNR) MSH 15−52 visual approximately 1,700 years ago at the southern celestial hemisphere not visible in the northern hemisphere.^[3][4] The nebula spans about 150 light years.^[5] The 150 ms pulsations ("almost 7 times per second") are detected in the radio, X-ray, and γ-ray bands.^[6]

PSR B1509−58

Composite image: X-rays are gold; infrared in red, green and blue/max. Credit: Chandra X-ray Observatory, WISE
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
Distance	17,000 ly (5,200 ± 1,400 pc)
Details
Rotation	0.1502 s[1]
Other designations
PSR 1509-58[1]
Database references
SIMBAD	data

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".^[7] It is also known by the name "Hand of God".^[8] This phenomenon is called pareidolia.

False-color image, nicknamed "Hand of God", from the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), showing low-energy X-rays in red, medium-energy in green, and high-energy in blue. The pulsar (white in the center) also causes the red glowing in the neighboring Hot Plasma Nebula RCW 89 above.^[9][10]

Gallery

• Sequence of images of optical, X-ray, radio, and infra-red emission
• Tour of PSR B1509−58.
• Sequence of PSR B1509−58 images.
• Size comparisons: PSR B1509−58 and Crab Nebula.
• 
  To track this motion, Chandra data is shown, from 2004, 2008, and then a combined image from observations taken in late 2017 and early 2018. These three epochs are shown in the inset of the main graphic.

See also

• List of neutron stars
• Pulsar planet