Credit: X-ray: NASA/IOA/Fabian et al., Optical: NASA/U.Durham/Smail et al.

This Chandra X-ray Observatory image shows a powerful point-like X-ray source that is consistent with energy emitted by a central giant black hole. The optical image of the galaxy does not show evidence that such a black hole is present. This inconsistency, combined with a deficit of low energy X-rays, indicates that this X-ray source may be a rare type of veiled black hole, called a Type 2 quasar.

Provider: Chandra X-ray Observatory

Image Source: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2000/type2/

Curator: Chandra X-ray Observatory, Cambridge, MA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/image_use.html