G11.2-0.3

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Chandra X-ray
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G11.2-0.3: A supernova remnant with a central pulsar, located in the constellation of Sagittarius.
(Credit: NASA/McGill/V.Kaspi et al.)

Caption: Using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, scientists have pinpointed the exact location of the pulsar within the supernova remnant G11.2-0.3. This provides new evidence that this pulsar and the surrounding remnant are the byproducts of a massive star that exploded in 386 AD that was witnessed by Chinese astronomers. If confirmed, this will be only the second pulsar to be clearly associated with a historic event. This result may have important implications for the births of pulsars, and, therefore, for the population as a whole.

Scale: Image is 5.8 x 5.4 arcmin on a side.

Chandra X-ray Observatory ACIS Image

CXC operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
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