7 stellar images clicked by Chandra X-ray Observatory

Updated: Aug 08, 2024, 01:06 PM(IST)

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory recently celebrated 25 years of its launch. To mark the occasion, the space agency shared 25 pictures clicked by Chandra, including a picture of the NGC 6872, a spiral galaxy located in the Pavo (Peacock) constellation, snapped for the first time. These images are just a sample of almost 25,000 observations made by Chandra in its quarter-century in space. Here are 7 pictures clicked by Chandra.
 

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NGC 6872 Spiral Galaxy

NGC 6872 spans across a whopping 522,000 light-years, making it more than five times the size of the Milky Way. At one point, it was the largest-known spiral galaxy. However, the NGC 262, a galaxy that measures 1.3 million light-years in diameter, later broke its record. (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

Crab Nebula

This photo of the Crab Nebula shows the remnant of a supernova explosion. It appears like a neon purple mushroom. At the core of the nebula is a pulsar, which is a rotating neutron star that emits electromagnetic radiation. (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and is known to have X-ray-producing aurora around its poles. This picture was snapped by Chandra Observatory and shows neon purple blobs around it. (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

M16 (Eagle Nebula)

This image of M16 (Eagle Nebula) shows a region of star formation known as the Pillars of Creation. NASA described the photo as, "Tall columns of grey gas and dust emerge from the bottom edge of the image, stretching toward our upper right." (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

Cassiopeia A

Ever since the Chandra mission started in 1999, the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant has been observed for more than 2 million seconds. Debris from the destroyed star and the blast wave from the explosion can be seen in the picture. (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

NGC 3324

NGC 3324 is an open cluster in the southern constellation Carina and sits near the Carina Nebula. More massive stars are concentrated near its centre. (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

NGC 1365

NGC 1365 is also known as the Fornax Propeller Galaxy or the Great Barred Spiral Galaxy. It contains a supermassive black hole with stars rapidly forming in its centre. (Photo: NASA)

(Photograph:Others)

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