Puppis A (Pup A) is a supernova remnant (SNR) about 100 light-years in diameter and roughly 6,500–7,000 light-years distant.[1] Its apparent angular diameter is about 1 degree.[2] The light of the supernova explosion reached Earth approximately 3,700 years ago. Although it overlaps the Vela supernova remnant, it is four times more distant.

A hypervelocity neutron star known as the Cosmic Cannonball has been found in this SNR.

Puppis X-1

Puppis X-1 (Puppis A) was discovered by a Skylark flight in October 1971, viewed for 1 minute with an accuracy ≥ 2 arcseconds,[3] probably at 1M 0821-426, with Puppis A (RA 08h 23m 08.16s Dec -42° 41′ 41.40″) as the likely visual counterpart.

Puppis A is one of the brightest X-ray sources in the X-ray sky. Its X-ray designation is 2U 0821-42.

References

  1. ^ "Puppis A". WISE Multimedia Gallery. NASA. 9 December 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  2. ^ Milne, D. K. (1971). "Radio observations of the supernova remnants IC443 and Puppis A". Aust. J. Phys.. 24: 429. Bibcode:1971AuJPh..24..429M. doi:10.1071/PH710429
  3. ^ Wiggin, M (December 2000). "The Dome on Ball Hill – The RAE Observatory". Archived from the original on 2012-02-27.

See also