CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
In a breakthrough study, astronomers have identified a likely explanation for a mysterious fracture in one of the Milky Way’s longest and brightest non-thermal filaments G359.13142-0.20005, commonly referred to as G359.13 or “The Snake.” Using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope array, researchers suggest the rupture was caused by a high-velocity pulsar colliding with the filament, dramatically distorting its magnetic structure.
About G359.13 – The Snake
G359.13 is a prominent example of a non-thermal filament (NTF) an enigmatic type of structure found near the Galactic Center, around 26,000 light-years from Earth. Measuring approximately 230 light-years in length, it is one of the longest such filaments identified to date.
These filaments, often referred to as “galactic bones,” are composed of highly energized charged particles that emit synchrotron radiation as they spiral along magnetic field lines. This makes them visible in radio wavelengths, giving them a bone-like appearance when viewed through radio telescopes.
Discovery Of A Fracture And Its Cause
Recent observations revealed a fracture in the otherwise continuous structure of G359.13. Intriguingly, this break coincides with the location of a pulsar, a rapidly spinning, magnetized neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation.
The pulsar is believed to be a supernova remnant, launched through space at speeds between 1 to 2 million miles per hour after the collapse of a massive star.
X-ray data from Chandra identified a blue-colored emission source, consistent with the location of the pulsar.
MeerKAT and the Very Large Array (VLA) provided corroborating radio wave data, further solidifying the pulsar’s link to the filament.
The hypothesis is that the pulsar pierced through G359.13, warping its magnetic fields and physically distorting the filament’s shape, leading to the observable break.
Additionally, X-ray emissions surrounding the pulsar are thought to originate from electrons and positrons—particles accelerated to high energies due to the intense magnetic environment created by the pulsar’s movement.
Scientific Significance
This finding offers rare insights into the interaction between compact stellar remnants and galactic-scale magnetic structures. It highlights how pulsars, despite their relatively small size, can significantly alter their environments and provide crucial data about the interstellar medium, magnetic fields, and high-energy astrophysical phenomena.
About Chandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is NASA’s premier telescope for observing X-ray emissions from the universe's most energetic and extreme environments.
Launch Date: July 23, 1999
Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-93)
Orbit: High Earth orbit (up to 139,000 km) to bypass Earth’s X-ray-absorbing atmosphere
Resolution: Over eight times sharper than previous X-ray telescopes
Sensitivity: Can detect sources up to 20 times fainter than earlier missions
Chandra is part of NASA’s legendary “Great Observatories” program, which also included the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.
Managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Chandra continues to play a vital role in international efforts to understand black holes, supernovae, dark matter, and the large-scale structure of the universe.
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