PSR J0523−7125 is a pulsar that, due to its size and brightness, was initially believed to be a distant galaxy.[2] It is located about 160,000 light-years (49,000 parsecs) away in the southern constellation of Dorado, near the center of the Large Magellanic Cloud.[2] Investigation via the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder showed the pulsar to have a high circular polarization with a steep spectrum.[1] Its rotation measure is twice as large as any other pulsar found in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which also makes it one of the most luminous pulsars ever found.[2]

PSR J0523−7125
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Dorado
Right ascension 05h 23m 48.66s[1]
Declination −71° 25′ 52.58″[1]
Characteristics
Spectral type Pulsar
Astrometry
Radial velocity (Rv)+456 rad m−2[1] km/s
Distance 160,000 ly
Details
Rotation322.5 ms[1]
Other designations
PSR J0523−7125
Database references

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Wang, Yuanming; et al. (2022). "Discovery of PSR J0523-7125 as a Circularly Polarized Variable Radio Source in the Large Magellanic Cloud". The Astrophysical Journal. 930 (1): 13. arXiv:2205.00622. Bibcode:2022ApJ...930...38W. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ac61dc. S2CID 248496723.
  2. ^ a b c Specktor, Brandon (May 12, 2022). "Distant 'galaxy' isn't a galaxy at all — but one of the brightest pulsars ever detected". Live Science. Retrieved May 12, 2022.