The X-ray Sources of M31
Explanation:
Just like our own
Milky Way Galaxy, the nearest
major galaxy
M31 has many
star systems spewing high energy
radiation. High energy
X-radiation is visible to
certain satellites in
Earth orbit such as
ROSAT - which took the above
picture. The X-ray sources in M31 occur in
globular clusters, the
spiral arms, and near the
galaxy's center. Probably most of these sources are
accretion disk binary star systems.
M31 has more X-ray sources near its center than our Galaxy, and the reason
for this is currently unknown.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
