Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/University of Amsterdam/N.Rea et al; Optical: DSS

Using Chandra and other X-ray observatories, astronomers have found evidence for what is likely one of the most extreme pulsars, or rotating neutron stars, ever detected. This composite image shows RCW 103 and its central source 161348-5055 in three bands of X-rays detected by Chandra with low, medium, and high-energy X-rays colored red, green, and blue respectively. (The X-ray data have been combined with an optical image.) The central source RCW 103 has properties of a magnetar, a highly magnetized neutron star, yet spins at the relatively slow rate of once about every six and a half hours. This would make it the slowest spinning neutron star ever detected.

Provider: Chandra X-ray Observatory

Image Source: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2016/rcw103/

Curator: Chandra X-ray Observatory, Cambridge, MA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/image_use.html