A spatially resolved plerionic X-ray nebula around PSR B0540-69

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  • 8 February 2000
Abstract
We present a high resolution Chandra X-ray observation of PSR B0540-69, the Crab-like 50 msec pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We use phase-resolved imaging to decompose the extended X-ray emission, as expected of a synchrotron nebula, from the point-like emission of the pulsar. The image of the pulsed X-ray emission shows a well-defined point-spread function of the observation, while the resolved nebula has a morphology and size remarkably similar to the Crab nebula, including evidence for a jet-like feature from PSR B0540-69. We further find a bright and resolved X-ray emitting "knot" which lies approx. 0.2 northeast from the pulsar and is notably lacking in radio emission. The patchy outer shell, which most likely represents the expanding blast-wave of the supernova, is reminiscent of that seen in radio. Based on morphology, size, and energetics there can be little doubt that SNR B0540-69 is an analogous system to the Crab but located in our neighboring galaxy.

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