Composite Images of J0617 in IC 443
This composite image was made with X-ray (blue/Chandra), radio (green/Very Large Array), and optical (red/Digitized Sky Survey) observations of a portion of the supernova remnant, IC443. The detailed image shows a neutron star - known as CXOU J061705.3+222127, or J0617 for short - that is spewing out a comet-like wake of high-energy particles as it races through space. Based on an analysis of the swept-back shape of the wake, astronomers deduced that the neutron star is located in the multimillion degree Celsius gas in the remnant. The direction of the wake is puzzling since it should point back toward the center of the remnant. A possible explanation is that it is being pushed aside by fast-moving gusts of gas in the remnant, much like cometary tails are pushed away by the solar wind.
Scale: Image is 9.8 by 7 arcmin
(Credit: Chandra X-ray: NASA/CXC/B.Gaensler et al; Radio Detail: NRAO/AUI/NSF; Optical: DSS)

Composite Images of SNR IC 443
This image shows a wide-field view of the supernova remnant IC 443. Embedded within the SNR is a neutron star known as J0617. These images show IC 443 and J0617 in X-rays (blue), radio (green), and optical (red). The location and orientation of J0617's wake are mysterious for astronomers who would have expected it to be aligned toward the center of IC 443.
Scale: Image is 46.5 by 49.3 arcmin
(Credit: Chandra X-ray: NASA/CXC/B.Gaensler et al; ROSAT X-ray: NASA/ROSAT/Asaoka & Aschenbach; Radio Wide: NRC/DRAO/D.Leahy; Optical: DSS)