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

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. 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 PSR B0540-69 is an analogous system to the Crab but located in our neighboring galaxy.