chandra_356 May 30th, 2007
Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.P.Kraft; Optical: Pal.Obs. DSS
This comparison of 3C438 in optical (left) and X-ray (right) light reveals evidence for one of the most energetic events in the local Universe. An arc-like feature to the lower left in the cluster's hot gas is about 2 million light years long. Astronomers have determined that an enormous amount of energy would be required to produce such a large structure. One plausible scenario is that two massive clusters collided at high velocity and later merged. Another intriguing feature in the Chandra data is the possible detection of a cavity in the hot gas, which may be the result from a tremendous outburst from a supermassive black hole.
Provider: Chandra X-ray Observatory
Image Source: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2007/3c438/
Curator: Chandra X-ray Observatory, Cambridge, MA, USA
Image Use Policy: http://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/image_use.html
Detailed color mapping information coming soon...
Providers | Sign In