RCW 103 is a supernova remnant in the constellation of Norma with a compact X-ray source which is the neutron star 1E 161348-5055 (magnetar). The star is estimated to spin every 6.5 hours which would make it the slowest spinning known neutron star. The remnant is estimated to be about 2,000 years, not enough time for such an object such as the neutron star to have lost sufficient power to slow down to this extent. One possible reason for the slowness is the debris surrounding the neutron star may have caused the slowing. Generally objects such as this are characterized by pulsars. This remnant which has no radio emission has caused some reconsideration of whether pulsar evolution is needed.
Imaged in H alpha and RGB on our RiDK 500 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile
Image acquisition and Processing: Mike Selby