Size Comparison of PSR B1509-58 and Crab Nebula (IMAGE)
Caption
This graphic demonstrates the difference in physical size between the nebula around the pulsar B1509-58 and its more famous cousin, the Crab Nebula, seen on the left. The Crab was generated when a star collapsed, as seen in 1054 A.D. Since then, the nebula its pulsar created has increased in size to some 10 light years. In contrast, astronomers think the B1509-58 system is about 1,700 years old, yet its nebula now covers some 150 light years. The discrepancy in these sizes may be due to the different environment each pulsar was born into.
Credit
NASA/CXC/SAO/P. Slane et al.
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