By integrating information from the Chandra and IXPE telescopes, astronomers are gaining a deeper understanding of how pulsars inject particles into space, thus sculpting their surrounding areas. The X-ray findings are presented in conjunction with infrared data collected by the Dark Energy Camera located in Chile. Young pulsars can generate matter and antimatter jets that emanate from their poles, as well as produce a powerful wind that results in the formation of a “pulsar wind nebula.” This particular nebula, designated as MSH 15-52, bears an uncanny resemblance to a human hand and offers valuable insights into the formation of such objects. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Stanford Univ./R. Romani et al. (Chandra); NASA/MSFC (IXPE); Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/DECaPS; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt
NASA’s Chandra and IXPE observatories reveal the magnetic structure, or the “skeleton,” of the hand-like pulsar wind nebula known as MSH 15-52, providing unprecedented knowledge concerning X-ray polarization and the dynamics of magnetic fields.
Data from Chandra and IXPE have been instrumental in investigating the pulsar wind nebula MSH 15-52. These nebulae are essentially energetic particle clouds expelled from deceased, collapsed celestial bodies. MSH 15-52 is particularly noted for its hand-like shape. The IXPE mission devoted approximately 17 days to observing this object, setting a record for the mission’s longest single-object observational period.
Table of Contents
The Phenomenon of Pulsars
Pulsars, or rotating neutron stars with formidable magnetic fields, serve as cosmic testbeds for extreme physical conditions, unattainable for study on Earth. Such pulsars can emit jets of matter and antimatter, alongside a forceful wind, culminating in a “pulsar wind nebula.”
Decoding the ‘Hand’ in the Cosmos
Initially, in 2001, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory made the first observation of pulsar PSR B1509-58, unveiling that its associated pulsar wind nebula (MSH 15-52) bears a strong resemblance to a human hand. Positioned at the nebula’s “palm” is the pulsar itself. Recent data from Chandra have been amalgamated with findings from NASA’s newest X-ray telescope, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), revealing the nebula’s intricate magnetic architecture. The IXPE mission focused on this nebula for a duration of 17 days, marking a milestone since its December 2021 launch.
Interpreting the Composite Imagery
A novel composite image features Chandra data visible in various colors representing different X-ray energies, while the diffuse purple color signifies the IXPE observations. The pulsar resides in the bright region at the “palm” base, with “fingers” extending toward lower-energy X-ray clouds in the surrounding remnants of the supernova that led to the pulsar’s formation. Also included are infrared data from the second data release of the Dark Energy Camera Plane Survey (DECaPS2).
X-ray Polarization and Magnetic Field Mapping
The IXPE data supply the inaugural magnetic field map of this nebular “hand,” elucidating the orientation of the electric fields of X-rays, dictated by the source’s magnetic field—a phenomenon termed “X-ray polarization.”
An auxiliary X-ray image depicts the magnetic orientation within MSH 15-52. Lines in the image symbolize IXPE’s polarization measurements, indicating the local magnetic field’s direction. The magnetic field complexities appear to align with the nebula’s “wrist,” “palm,” and “fingers,” potentially outlining these extended structures.
Magnetic Field Consistency and Polarization
The degree of polarization, as indicated by the length of the bars, reaches exceptionally high levels, aligning with theoretical expectations. Such strength implies that the magnetic field in these regions of the pulsar wind nebula must be remarkably uniform and straight, suggesting minimal turbulence.
One distinctive aspect of MSH 15-52 is a luminous X-ray jet that projects from the pulsar toward the “wrist” at the image’s lower section. Fresh IXPE data disclose that the initial polarization at the jet’s beginning is relatively low, likely owing to the turbulent conditions and intricate, knotted magnetic fields associated with the generation of high-energy particles. Toward the jet’s end, the magnetic field lines appear to become more streamlined and uniform, resulting in significantly increased polarization levels.
A research paper detailing these observations, led by Roger Romani of Stanford University and a team of collaborators, was published in The Astrophysical Journal on October 23, 2023.
Reference: DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acfa02
IXPE is a joint venture involving NASA and the Italian Space Agency, featuring partners and scientific contributors from 12 different countries. The project is overseen by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Ball Aerospace, with headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, manages spacecraft operations in association with the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is responsible for managing the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center oversees science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about pulsar wind nebula
What is the main focus of the article?
The article primarily focuses on the scientific study of a unique “hand”-shaped pulsar wind nebula known as MSH 15-52. Researchers used data from NASA’s Chandra and IXPE telescopes to explore X-ray polarization and the dynamics of magnetic fields within this nebula.
What telescopes were used in this study?
The study employed data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).
What is a pulsar wind nebula?
A pulsar wind nebula is a type of nebula formed by material ejected from a pulsar. Pulsars are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars that emit beams of radiation.
What is unique about the MSH 15-52 nebula?
The MSH 15-52 nebula is remarkable for its shape, which closely resembles a human hand. This feature has attracted significant scientific interest, leading to detailed examinations using advanced telescopic technologies.
What is X-ray polarization?
X-ray polarization refers to the orientation of the electric field vectors of X-rays, often determined by the magnetic field of the X-ray source. The IXPE telescope provided the first map of the magnetic field in MSH 15-52, revealing valuable data on X-ray polarization.
How long did the IXPE observe MSH 15-52?
The IXPE telescope observed MSH 15-52 for about 17 days, making it the longest single object observation for this mission since its launch in December 2021.
What do we learn from the magnetic field and polarization data?
The data indicate that the amount of polarization in certain regions of the pulsar wind nebula is remarkably high, reaching the theoretical maximum. This suggests that the magnetic field in these areas is very straight and uniform, with little turbulence.
Who published the results of this study?
The results were published in The Astrophysical Journal by Roger Romani of Stanford University and collaborators on October 23, 2023.
What collaborations were involved in the IXPE mission?
IXPE is a joint initiative between NASA and the Italian Space Agency, with partners and scientific collaborators from 12 different countries. It is led by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Who manages the Chandra program?
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program, with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controlling science and flight operations from Cambridge and Burlington, Massachusetts, respectively.
More about pulsar wind nebula
- The Astrophysical Journal Publication
- NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory Official Website
- Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mission Page
- Dark Energy Camera Plane Survey (DECaPS2) Overview
- Stanford University’s Astrophysics Research
- Italian Space Agency IXPE Collaboration
- Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center
- NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
- Ball Aerospace and the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
- X-ray Polarization: An Introduction
