Halloween brought a treat from NASA—an image of a captivating cosmic phenomenon known as MSH 15-52, described as a “ghostly cosmic hand.” This intriguing display features a dynamic cloud of energetic particles that remarkably resembles a human hand.
The collaborative efforts of NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory and Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) telescopes skilfully captured this extraordinary image. Back in 2001, Chandra observed the pulsar PSR B1509-58, revealing a pulsar wind nebula, scientifically termed MSH 15-52, which strikingly mirrors a section of the human body. Pulsar wind nebulae, created by intense particle winds and matter jets from the poles of a pulsar, a highly magnetized and rapidly rotating collapsed star, form captivating celestial structures.
The bright white spot at the base of the cosmic hand represents the pulsar itself, positioned around 16,000 light-years away from Earth. NASA’s cutting-edge X-ray telescope, IXPE, dedicated over two weeks to studying MSH 15-52, setting a record for the longest continuous observation of a single object since its launch in December 2021.
Roger Romani, leading the study from Stanford University, emphasized the significance of IXPE data, stating, “The IXPE data gives us the first map of the magnetic field in the ‘hand.’ The charged particles producing the X-rays travel along the magnetic field, determining the basic shape of the nebula, akin to how bones shape a person’s hand.”
Co-author Josephine Wong, also from Stanford University, highlighted the innovative use of X-rays in revealing hidden information, drawing a parallel to their common role in diagnostic medical tools for humans. Astronomers are harnessing X-ray images like this to uncover the mysteries of how celestial objects, such as MSH 15-52, form in the depths of space, offering valuable insights into the cosmic landscape.