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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Крабовидная туманность в рентгеновских лучах http://www.variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1162830/eng |
Credit & Copyright: Chandra X-ray Observatory,
NASA
Explanation:
Why does the Crab Nebula
still glow? In the year 1054 A.D. a
supernova
was observed that left a nebula that even today
glows brightly in every color possible, across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
At the nebula's center is an ultra-dense
neutron star
that rotates 30 times a second.
The power liberated as this
neutron star slows its rotation matches
the power radiated by the
Crab Nebula.
The above picture by the recently launched
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
shows new details of the nebula's center in X-ray light, yielding important clues to how the
neutron star powers the nebula.
Visible are rings of
high-energy particles that are being flung outward near
light-speed from the center, and powerful
jets emerging from the poles.
Astrophysicists continue to study and learn from this
unusual engine
which continually transfers 30 million times more power than
lightning
at nearly perfect
efficiency.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.