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Chandra Observation of SNR G54.1+0.3 -- a Close Cousin of the Crab Nebula

F. J. Lu·Q. D. Wang·B. Aschenbach·Ph. Durouchoux·L. M. Song
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Abstract

We present a {\it Chandra} ACIS observation of SNR G54.1+0.3. This supernova remnant is resolved into several distinct X-ray emitting components: a central bright point-like source (CXOU J193030.13+185214.1), a surrounding ring, bipolar elongations, plus low surface brightness diffuse emission. The spectra of these components are all well described by power-law models; the spectral index steepens with increasing distance from the point-like source. We find no evidence for any thermal plasma emission that would correspond to shocked interstellar medium or ejecta. The observed morphological and spectral characteristics suggest that G54.1+0.3 is the closest ``cousin'' of the Crab Nebula -- a pulsar wind nebula driven by a combination of equatorial and polar outflows from the putative pulsar represented by the point-like X-ray source.

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F. J. Lu, Q. D. Wang, B. Aschenbach, Ph. Durouchoux, L. M. Song. 2002-02-07. Chandra Observation of SNR G54.1+0.3 -- a Close Cousin of the Crab Nebula. https://doi.org/10.1086/340137

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