We report the discovery of PSR J1747 - 2958 , a radio pulsar with period P = 98 ms and dispersion measure \mbox { DM } = 101 cm ^ { -3 } pc , in a deep observation with the Parkes telescope of the axially-symmetric “ Mouse ” radio nebula ( G359.23 - 0.82 ) .
Timing measurements of the newly discovered pulsar reveal a characteristic age P / 2 \dot { P } = 25 kyr and spin-down luminosity \dot { E } = 2.5 \times 10 ^ { 36 } erg s ^ { -1 } .
The pulsar ( timing ) position is consistent with that of the Mouse ’ s “ head ” .
The distance derived from the DM , \approx 2 kpc , is consistent with the Mouse ’ s distance limit from H i absorption , < 5.5 kpc .
Also , the X-ray energetics of the Mouse are compatible with being powered by the pulsar .
Therefore we argue that PSR J1747 - 2958 , moving at supersonic speed through the local interstellar medium , powers this unusual non-thermal nebula .
The pulsar is a weak radio source , with period-averaged flux density at 1374 MHz of 0.25 mJy and luminosity \sim 1 mJy kpc ^ { 2 } .