A spatially resolved plerionic X-ray nebula around PSR B0540-69

We present a high-resolution Chandra X-ray observation of PSR B0540-69, the Crab-like 50 ms pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We use phase-resolve d imaging to decompose the extended X-ray emission, as expected of a synchr otron nebula, from the pointlike emission of the pulsar. The image of the p ulsed X-ray emission shows a well-defined point-spread function of the obse rvation, while the resolved nebula has a morphology and size remarkably sim ilar to the Crab nebula, including evidence for a jetlike feature from PSR B0540-69. The patchy outer shell, which most likely represents the expandin g blast wave of the supernova, is reminiscent of that seen in radio. Based on morphology, size, and energetics, there can be little doubt that SNR B05 40-69 is an analogous system to the Crab but located in our neighboring gal axy.