This picture is of the supernova remnant Simeis 147. Supernovae are when large-mass stars die. Remnants are what is left over after the supernova is finished. In this particular remnant, however, there is a pulsar left over within. Pulsars are very compact stars that shoot beams of radio waves from their magnetic poles. As the star spins, we see the radio light flashing, and the star seems to pulse, hence the name.
No comments:
Post a Comment