PSR B1509−58 is a pulsar approximately 17,000 light-years away in the constellation of Circinus discovered by the Einstein X-Ray Observatory in 1982.[2] It appears approximately 1,700 years old,[3] and it sits in a nebula that spans about 150 light years.[4] NASA described the star as "a rapidly spinning neutron star which is spewing energy out into the space around it to create complex and intriguing structures, including one that resembles a large cosmic hand." It is also known by the name "Hand of God".[5] The spin rate is "almost 7 times per second".
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Circinus |
| Right ascension | 15h 13m 55.52s[1] |
| Declination | −59° 08′ 08.8″[1] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | Pulsar |
| Astrometry | |
| Distance | 17,000 ly |
| Details | |
| Rotation | 0.1502 s[1] |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |

X-rays from Chandra are red, green, and blue/max.
Circinus constellation | |||||||||||
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| Stars (list) |
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| Star clusters |
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| Nebulae |
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