|
|
The Antennae:
Chandra Finds Abundance of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources
This Chandra X-ray image shows the
central regions of two colliding galaxies known
collectively as "The Antennae." The latest
Chandra data reveal a large population of extremely
bright X-ray sources in this area of intense star
formation. These "ultraluminous" X-ray sources, which
emit 10 to several hundred times more X-ray power than
similar sources in our own Galaxy, are believed to be
either massive black holes, or black holes that are
beaming their energy toward Earth. In this X-ray image,
red represents the low energy band, green intermediate
and blue the highest observed energies. The white and
yellow sources are those that emit significant amounts
of both low- and high-energy X-rays.
The Antennae Galaxies, about 60 million light years
from Earth in the constellation Corvus, got their
nickname from the wispy antennae-like streams of gas
seen by optical telescopes. These wisps are believed to
have been produced by the collision between the
galaxies that began about 100 million years ago and is
still occurring.
| Fast Facts for Antennae: |
| Credit |
NASA/SAO/CXC/G.Fabbiano et al. |
| Scale |
Image is 4.0 arcmin on a side. |
| Category |
Normal Galaxies & Starburst Galaxies |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 12h 01m 53.70s | Dec -18° 52' 35.5'' |
| Constellation |
Corvus |
| Observation Dates |
December 1, 1999
|
| Observation Time |
20 hours |
| Color Code |
Intensity |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| Also Known As | NGC 4038, NGC 4039 |
| Distance Estimate |
About 60 million light years |
| Release Date |
June 05, 2001 |
|
|
|
