description RCW 103 Overview
RCW 103 is a young supernova remnant located in the constellation Norma. It is the expanding debris and associated emission left by a stellar explosion, and its most distinctive feature is the compact object 1E 161348-5055 at its center. That object is a slowly rotating magnetar, a highly magnetized neutron star, making RCW 103 an important target for studies of stellar remnants and extreme neutron-star behavior.
help RCW 103 FAQ
What is RCW 103?
RCW 103 is a young supernova remnant in the constellation Norma. It is the expanding debris and emission left after a stellar explosion.
What is the unusual object at the center of RCW 103?
The remnant contains the compact object 1E 161348-5055, often shortened to 1E 161348. It is a slowly rotating magnetar, a highly magnetized neutron star.
What is a supernova remnant?
A supernova remnant is the expanding cloud of gas and debris produced when a star explodes. RCW 103 is observed through the radiation from that material and its central compact object.
What makes 1E 161348-5055 unusual?
Its rotation is extraordinarily slow for a young neutron-star remnant, which made RCW 103 a particularly important object for studying magnetars. The object is also known for changes in its X-ray emission.
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