NASA just released a new image collection that combines X-ray data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory with other observations made with tools like the Hubble Space Telescope. The result is a dazzling series of photos showing off old objects in a form we’ve never seen before. And the images are a tantalizing taste of what we can expect in the coming years as the James Webb Space Telescope and other new instruments begin their science missions in earnest.
The new image gallery describes five images that astronomers have been studying for decades, but the X-ray data help shed light on features not seen through more conventional observations. Above, you can see an image of Cassiopeia A, a supernova remnant 11,000 light-years away. X-rays show varying concentrations of elements such as silicon (red), sulfur (yellow), calcium (green) and iron (light purple). That image also combines radio wave data captured by the Karl Jansky Very Large Array on earth (dark purple, blue, and white), along with optical images taken by Hubble (orange).
R Aquarii, a white dwarf and a red giant orbiting each other. In the new image, X-ray data from Chandra (in purple) shows jets of hot gas from the white draft hitting surrounding matter and creating a large shock wave, like the sonic boom from a superplane. bar.
NASA
Other objects in the gallery include the star pair R Aquarii, the Guitar Nebula, the galaxy cluster Abell 2597, and the spiral galaxy NGC 4490.
The Guitar Nebula, created by a neutron star traveling at 1,000 mph. The resulting shock waves created a guitar-shaped structure (in blue). X-ray currents (pink) are produced by the star’s magnetic poles.
NASA
By combining different groups of observations from different instruments, astronomers hope to gain a better understanding of how these types of objects formed and are currently behaving. The new images are an indication of what’s to come as we move forward with missions like JWST (infrared cosmic observation) and the Imaging X-ray Polarizer (a joint mission of NASA and the Italian Space Agency to study space X-rays).
Galaxy Cluster Abell 2597. A supermassive black hole at the center pushes huge amounts of gas outward and inward, creating bubbles within it.
NASA
It is hard to imagine that in a few years these kinds of spatial images will simply become the norm.
Spiral galaxy NGC 4490, has collided with a smaller galaxy. Scientists hope to use combined data from different instruments to see how gravitational interactions between the two objects can encourage the formation of objects like neutron stars and black holes. You can see the X-rays from Chandra (in purple) along with optical observations taken by Hubble (in red, green, and blue).
NASA
