*************************************************************************
   72065
   The bright and extended X-ray source 1E 0953.8+6918 has a nonthermal
   spectrum and coincides spatially with a well-defined Halpha-emitting
   bow shock. The source most likely represents a nearby ram-pressure
   confined pulsar wind nebula. We propose an ASCA observation to search
   for pulsed X-ray emission from the putative pulsar and to obtain a high
   quality on-axis spectrum of the nebula. This may provide direct
   measurements of properties of both the pulsar wind and the particle
   acceleration in the bow shock as well as various pulsar parameters. The
   source may become more informative than the Crab Nebula as a
   ``laboratory'' for diagnosing pulsar winds and their termination
   shocks.
 *************************************************************************