The Crab Pulsar

The Crab Pulsar is a rapidly spinning neutron star located in the Crab Nebula, formed from the explosion of a massive star supernova in 1054 AD. It emits beams of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays, which sweep across space like lighthouse beams. As the pulsar rotates approximately 30 times per second, these beams periodically reach Earth, creating regular flashes detected by astronomers. Its intense magnetic field and rapid rotation generate energetic particles and radiation, making it one of the most studied and well-understood neutron stars in the universe.