X Ray Cygnus A
Explanation:
Amazingly detailed,
this
false-color x-ray image is centered on the galaxy Cygnus A.
Recorded by the orbiting
Chandra Observatory, Cygnus A is
seen here as a
spectacular high energy x-ray source.
But it is actually more
famous at the low energy end of
the electromagnetic spectrum as one of
the brightest celestial radio sources.
Merely 700 million light-years distant,
Cygnus A is
the closest powerful radio galaxy and the false-color
radio image (inset right)
shows remarkable similarity to Chandra's x-ray view.
Central
in both pictures, the center of
Cygnus A shines brightly while emission
extends 300,000 light-years to either side along the same axis.
Near light speed jets of atomic particles
produced by a massive central
black hole are believed to cause
the emission.
In fact, the x-ray image reveals "hot spots" suggestive
of the locations where the particle jets are stopped in
surrounding cooler, denser gas.
The x-ray image
also shows that the jets have
cleared out a huge cavity in the surrounding gas.
Bright swaths of emission within the cavity likely indicate
x-ray hot material ... swirling toward the
central black hole.
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.
