NASA Chandra Releases 16-Galaxy Image Gallery Combining Decades of X-Ray Data
Updated
Updated · Newswise · Aug 26
NASA Chandra Releases 16-Galaxy Image Gallery Combining Decades of X-Ray Data
3 articles · Updated · Newswise · Aug 26
Summary
Sixteen newly released images pair Chandra X-ray observations with data from Webb, Hubble, IXPE, Swift, NuSTAR and other telescopes to show how galaxies form, interact and evolve.
Chandra’s X-rays reveal million-degree gas, black hole outflows and supernova debris—high-energy processes that other wavelengths miss and that help trace the elements spread through galaxies.
The gallery highlights spirals and starbursts including Messier 33, NGC 1672 and Messier 82, where bars, collisions and stellar explosions drive star formation and blow hot gas thousands of light-years into space.
It also features active black hole systems such as Centaurus A and Messier 106, plus disrupted galaxies including Arp 143, NGC 3256 and Messier 90, linking nearby examples to the early universe and the Milky Way’s future merger with Andromeda.