All articles tagged with #chandra observatory
Black holes are invisible but detectable via the light emitted by their surrounding accretion disks and jets. Recent advancements in X-ray, radio, and infrared imaging have produced detailed visuals of supermassive black holes, including the first direct image of Sagittarius A* and the first capture of two orbiting black holes in quasar OJ287.
Astronomers have identified 84 previously unknown cosmic objects in six nearby galaxies, including Andromeda and M101, by analyzing existing data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Dubbed 'hypersoft' X-ray sources, these objects emit low-energy X-rays while likely producing significant extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation that is absorbed by interstellar gas. The discovery, led by Mustafa Muhibullah of the University of Alabama, suggests a larger hidden population of luminous systems that could help resolve long-standing mysteries regarding Type Ia supernova progenitors and galactic ionization.
Astronomers have identified 84 previously undetected objects in six nearby galaxies, dubbed 'hypersoft X-ray sources,' which emit low-energy X-rays but likely produce vast amounts of extreme ultraviolet radiation. Hidden by interstellar gas, these objects may include white dwarfs accreting matter, potentially solving the mystery of missing Type Ia supernova progenitors and illuminating how galaxies evolve.
Astronomers have detected the first-ever astrosphere around a sunlike star, HD 61005, known as "The Moth." This discovery, made using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, reveals a bubble of hot gas created by the star's stellar wind, extending far beyond the Sun's heliosphere. The finding provides insights into the early conditions of our Sun and the role of astrospheres in shielding planets from cosmic rays, enhancing our understanding of potential life-hosting environments around similar stars.
NASA has created four stunning composite images by combining X-ray data from Chandra Observatory, optical light data from Hubble Space Telescope, and infrared information from Spitzer Space Telescope. The images showcase the capabilities of each telescope and reveal details about star clusters, spiral galaxies, and nebulae. The data from James Webb Space Telescope adds even more detail to the images, including plumes and arcs of gas and dust that stars and planets use as source material during their formation.