Pulsars may power cosmic rays with the highest-known energies in the universe
Their magnetic environs are perfect for boosting particles to ultrahigh energies
Pulsar wind nebulas, such as one in the Crab Nebula (pictured), may be responsible for boosting cosmic rays, specifically electrons, to ultrahigh energies. That boosting process can create gamma rays with the highest energies ever detected. In this composite image, X-rays are blue, visible light is purple and infrared radiation is magenta.
X-ray: CXC/SAO/NASA; Optical: STScI/NASA; Infrared: JPL-Caltech/NASA