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A spatially resolved plerionic X-ray nebula around PSR B0540-69

E. V. Gotthelf·Q. Daniel Wang
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Abstract

We present a high resolution Chandra X-ray observation of PSR B0540-69, the Crab-like 50 msec pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We use phase-resolved imaging to decompose the extended X-ray emission, as expected of a synchrotron nebula, from the point-like emission of the pulsar. The image of the pulsed X-ray emission shows a well-defined point-spread function of the observation, while the resolved nebula has a morphology and size remarkably similar to the Crab nebula, including evidence for a jet-like feature from PSR B0540-69. The patchy outer shell, which most likely represents the expanding blast-wave of the supernova, is reminiscent of that seen in radio. Based on morphology, size, and energetics there can be little doubt that PSR B0540-69 is an analogous system to the Crab but located in our neighboring galaxy.

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E. V. Gotthelf, Q. Daniel Wang. 2000-03-10. A spatially resolved plerionic X-ray nebula around PSR B0540-69. https://doi.org/10.1086/312568

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