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This montage contains 25 new images with data from NASA\u2019s Chandra X-ray Observatory that is being released to commemorate the telescope\u2019s 25th anniversary in space, as described in our latest press release. Since its launch into space on July 23, 1999, Chandra has been NASA\u2019s flagship mission for X-ray astronomy in its fleet of \u201cGreat Observatories.\u201d Chandra discovers exotic new phenomena and examines old mysteries, looking at objects within our own Solar System out to nearly the edge of the observable Universe.<\/p>\n
There is a broad range of astronomical objects in this collection. At the center is one of Chandra\u2019s most iconic targets, the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). This was one of the very first objects observed by Chandra after its launch in 1999, and astronomers have often returned to observe Cas A with Chandra since then.<\/p>\n
Chandra quickly discovered a point source of X-rays in Cas A\u2019s center for the first time, later confirmed to be a neutron star. Later Chandra was used to discover evidence for a \u201csuperfluid\u201d inside Cas A\u2019s neutron star, to reveal that the original massive star may have turned inside out as it exploded, and to take an important step in pinpointing how giant stars explode.<\/p>\n
The unmatched sharpness of Chandra\u2019s X-ray images are perfect for studying the hot debris and energetic particles remaining behind after supernova explosions. Other examples in this new collection include the Crab Nebula, G21.5-0.9, MSH 15-52, and SN 1987A. Chandra also probes the different branches of stellar evolution such as \u201cplanetary nebulas\u201d when stars like the Sun run out of fuel and shed their outer layers as seen in the Chandra image of HB 5.<\/p>\n
Chandra also looks at what happens at the start of the stellar life cycle, providing information about some of the youngest and most massive stars. Images of these stellar nurseries in the \u201c25 for 25\u201d montage include the Orion Nebula, Cat\u2019s Paw, M16 (a.k.a., the \u201cPillars of Creation\u201d), the Bat Shadow and NGC 3324. A view of a more mature star cluster, NGC 3532, is also included. X-ray data are particularly useful for studying objects like this because young stars are often copious producers of X-rays, allowing stars that are members of clusters to be picked out of a foreground or background of older objects. Chandra\u2019s sharp images and sensitivity also allow many more sources to be seen.<\/p>\n
Chandra observes galaxies \u2014 including our own Milky Way, where a supermassive black hole resides at its center. Chandra also studies other galaxies and this is represented in the new images of NGC 7469, Centaurus A, NGC 6872, NGC 1365, and Arp 220.<\/p>\n
Astronomers look at even larger structures like galaxy clusters with Chandra, where hundreds or thousands of galaxies are immersed in multimillion-degree gas that only an X-ray telescope can detect. In this release of images, M86 and the Virgo cluster, Abell 2125, and MACS J0035 are examples of galaxy clusters Chandra has observed.<\/p>\n
Closer to home, Chandra has contributed to the study of planets and comets in our own Solar System including Venus, Mars, Saturn, and even Earth itself. This ability to explore the Solar System is represented by the image of aurora on Jupiter, captured in X-rays, in this collection.<\/p>\n
A full list of the 25 images celebrating Chandra\u2019s 25th, along with the data included and what the colors represent, is available at <\/p>\n
Images of some of these objects had previously been released, but now include new X-ray data or have been combined with different data from other telescopes. Some of these objects have never been released before with Chandra data.<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory\u2019s Chandra X-ray Center controls science from Cambridge Massachusetts and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.<\/p>\n
Read more from NASA\u2019s Chandra X-ray Observatory.<\/p>\n
For more Chandra images, multimedia and related materials, visit:<\/p>\n
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This image shows a collection of 25 new space images celebrating the Chandra X-ray Observatory\u2019s 25th anniversary. The images are arranged in a grid, displayed as five images across in five separate rows. Starting from the upper left, and going across each row, the objects imaged are: Crab Nebula, Orion Nebula, The Eyes Galaxies, Cat\u2019s Paw Nebula, Milky Way\u2019s Galactic Center, M16, Bat Shadow, NGC 7469, Virgo Cluster, WR 124, G21.5-0.9, Centaurus A, Cassiopeia A, NGC 3532, NGC 6872, Hb 5, Abell 2125, NGC 3324, NGC 1365, MSH 15-52, Arp 220, Jupiter, NGC 1850, MACS J0035, SN 1987A.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n