Nestled at the center of the Milky Way, there exists a remarkable structure of radio energy known as “The Snake” — an enormous filament extending an incredible 230 light-years. This filament, reminiscent of a cosmic bone, has recently drawn the interest of astronomers due to a puzzling fracture along its span.

Employing NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, along with data from South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope and the National Science Foundation’s Very Large Array, researchers have scrutinized this break. The high-resolution images revealed a probable cause: a swiftly moving neutron star, or pulsar, that seems to have barreled through the filament, warping its magnetic field and disrupting its radio emissions.

If the image of the fracture strikes you as similar to an X-ray, that’s not by chance. The Chandra Observatory effectively provided a galactic X-ray of this space anomaly, assisting scientists in identifying the cause of the rupture. The pulsar, rotating rapidly and emitting beams of radiation like a cosmic lighthouse, appears to have crashed into The Snake and continued its rapid journey across the galaxy.

This finding not only clarifies the filament’s fracture but also highlights the significant influence a single stellar remnant can exert — even long after the star itself has detonated in a supernova. These results were recently shared in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Formally designated G359.13142-0.20005, the filament has gained the moniker “The Snake” due to its winding shape and because, let’s be honest, the official name doesn’t exactly flow easily. It is one of many such filaments located near the densely packed core of the Milky Way, where countless glowing threads intertwine throughout the area. These structures radiate in radio wavelengths, illuminated by charged particles spiraling through magnetic fields. Among them, The Snake distinguishes itself as one of the longest and brightest.

Nevertheless, numerous questions linger. Scientists still do not completely comprehend why these filaments are present, or why some exhibit greater length and luminosity than others.

Regarding the runaway pulsar, it shows no signs of deceleration. Originating from the cataclysmic death of a massive star, a neutron star is an extraordinarily dense remnant — approximately 10 miles in diameter — left over after a supernova. These remnants frequently receive a powerful “kick” from the explosion, propelling them through space. In this instance, researchers estimate the pulsar might be traveling at an astounding 1 to 2 million miles per hour.

Additional X-ray emissions observed near the pulsar may stem from high-energy particles — electrons and positrons — that were accelerated during the impact. These particles, counterparts of matter and antimatter, might be generating additional radiation as they engage with their environment.

In summary, this striking cosmic interaction between a rapid stellar remnant and an enormous radio filament provides fresh perspectives on the dynamic and at times tumultuous characteristics of our galaxy’s core.