The Center of the Circinus Galaxy in X Rays
Explanation:
Are black holes the cause of X-rays that pour out
from the center of the
Circinus galaxy?
A new high-resolution image from the orbiting
Chandra X-ray Observatory has resolved the
inner regions of this nearby galaxy into
several smaller sources.
The image is
shown above in representative-color.
Extended
X-ray emission from the center appears to
match optical light and appears consistent
with a model where hot gas is escaping from a
supermassive black hole at
Circinus' center.
At least one of the other sources varies
its X-ray brightness as expected from a
binary star system,
indicating that the system is small yet massive,
and giving credence to a model where a
black hole
is surrounded by doughnut-shaped ring.
The region shown spans about 5000
light-years across.
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.
