Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra Monitoring of the Crab Synchrotron Nebula
Gallagher, J. S.; Mori, K.; Hester, J. J.; Burrows, D.; Scowen, P.; Graham, J. R.; Halverson, M.; Kader, A.; Michel, F. C.
United States, Japan
Abstract
We report the results of coordinated Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra observations of the Crab synchrotron nebula. Similar dynamical structures, including equatorial wisps moving outward at ~0.5c, are seen in both passbands. The inner X-ray ring is a variable, irregular structure from which wisps and diffuse emission emerge. The X-ray/visible jet to the southeast of the pulsar is a true jet. The data support the interpretation that the inner ring and a highly dynamical feature at the base of the jet are unstable quasi-stationary shocks in the ``cold'' equatorial wind and polar jet from the pulsar.