3C273

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Chandra X-ray
Observatory Center
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
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http://chandra.harvard.edu
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3C273: A quasar over 3 billion light years from Earth.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/H.Marshall et al.)

Caption: Chandra's image of 3C273 shows important new details in the extremely powerful jet that probably originates from gas that is falling toward a supermassive black hole but is then redirected by strong electromagnetic fields. This Chandra image has enabled scientists, for the first time, to detect a continuous X-ray flow in 3C273 from the core (upper left) to the jet. This discovery may reveal insight into the physical processes that power these long-puzzling energetic jets.

Scale: Image is approx. 24 arcsec on each side.

Chandra X-ray Observatory HRC /ACIS Image

CXC operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
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