Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

Here are 20 Incredible Space Images Made With The Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Vladislav TchakarovbyVladislav Tchakarov
May 29, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
in Editor's Picks
Montage of six composite images made with data from Chandra as well as other observatories. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Optical: NASA/STScI

Montage of six composite images made with data from Chandra as well as other observatories. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Optical: NASA/STScI

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory was launched into space in 1999 and has served a total of almost 22 years in orbit, although the telescope was originally estimated to have a lifespan of five years. The telescope is capable of registering X-ray quanta with energies from 0.1 to 10 keV.

Artist's impression of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Credit: NASA / CXC / NGST
Artist’s impression of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Credit: NASA / CXC / NGST

The need to work outside the atmosphere is due to the fact that X-rays are strongly scattered by molecules of atmospheric gases and it is impossible to obtain highly detailed images of deep space objects in this wavelength range using ground-based observatories.

In the X-ray wavelength range, one can observe the consequences of various high-energy processes that cause matter to heat up to temperatures ranging from millions to hundreds of millions of Kelvin. Radiation sources can be pulsars, active galactic nuclei, black holes, and clouds of rarefied intergalactic hot gas in clusters and supernova remnants.

With this said, here are 20 jaw-dropping images of celestial objects made with data from the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

Related Posts

An image of the Bramante Staircase. Jumpstory.

5 Untold Secrets You Probably Didn’t Know About the Vatican’s Necropolis

October 4, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
On this mosaic image, we see about 48,000 light-years out of the 220,000 light-year span of the Andromeda Galaxy. A better-quality version is included in the article below. Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Dalcanton, B.F. Williams and L.C. Johnson (University of Washington), the PHAT team and R. Gendler

This 1.5 Billion Pixel Image Of The Andromeda Galaxy Will Blow Your Mind

January 11, 2021 - Updated on January 21, 2024
Earlier this year, astronomers using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory showed this image of Uranus after they detected X-Rays for the first time. The image above includes an X-Ray image by Chandra (in pink) over an optical image from the Keck-I Telescope. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Optical: W.M. Keck Observatory
Earlier this year, astronomers using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory showed this image of Uranus after they detected X-Rays for the first time. The image above includes an X-Ray image by Chandra (in pink) over an optical image from the Keck-I Telescope. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXO/University College London/W. Dunn et al; Optical: W.M. Keck Observatory

 

The magnificent composite image of the Center of the Milky Way, where scientists discovered the new phenomenon. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/Q.D. Wang; Radio: NRF/SARAO/MeerKAT
The magnificent composite image of the Center of the Milky Way, where scientists discovered the new phenomenon. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/Q.D. Wang; Radio: NRF/SARAO/MeerKAT

 

Star system Eta Carinae in the Milky Way, possibly containing the next star in our galaxy to explode into a supernova. This is a composite image with optical and ultraviolet data from Hubble, and X-Rays from Chandra. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Ultraviolet/Optical: NASA/STScI; Combined Image: NASA/ESA/N. Smith (University of Arizona), J. Morse (BoldlyGo Institute) and A. Pagan
Star system Eta Carinae in the Milky Way, possibly containing the next star in our galaxy to explode into a supernova. This is a composite image with optical and ultraviolet data from Hubble, and X-Rays from Chandra. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Ultraviolet/Optical: NASA/STScI; Combined Image: NASA/ESA/N. Smith (University of Arizona), J. Morse (BoldlyGo Institute) and A. Pagan

 

Supernova remnant Cassiopeia A has been studied by Chandra for decades and has provided incredibe data about this object. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/RIKEN/T. Sato et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI
Supernova remnant Cassiopeia A has been studied by Chandra for decades and has provided incredibe data about this object. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/RIKEN/T. Sato et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI

 

The Cartwheel Galaxy shown here has been observed by several space telescopes including the Chandra observatory. This image is composed of optical data from Hubble and Chandra’s X-ray data (in purple). Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC; Optical: NASA/STScI

 

Composite image of Cygnus OB2 with X-Ray data from Chandra (red and blue). Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Drake et al; H-alpha: Univ. of Hertfordshire/INT/IPHAS; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Spitzer
Composite image of Cygnus OB2 with X-Ray data from Chandra (red and blue). Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Drake et al; H-alpha: Univ. of Hertfordshire/INT/IPHAS; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Spitzer

 

X-ray image of supernova remnant G292.0+1.8 showing the expanding field area after the explosion. Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO

 

Supernova remnant of a star within the Small Magellanic Cloud. Credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/ESO/F.Vogt et al); Optical (ESO/VLT/MUSE), Optical (NASA/STScI)
Supernova remnant of a star within the Small Magellanic Cloud. Credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/ESO/F.Vogt et al); Optical (ESO/VLT/MUSE), Optical (NASA/STScI)
Composite image of neutron star E0102 made with data from the Chandra Observatory and the Very Large Telescope in Chile. Credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/ESO/F.Vogt et al); Optical (ESO/VLT/MUSE & NASA/STScI)
Composite image of neutron star E0102 made with data from the Chandra Observatory and the Very Large Telescope in Chile. Credit: X-ray (NASA/CXC/ESO/F.Vogt et al); Optical (ESO/VLT/MUSE & NASA/STScI)
Supernova remnant SN 1006 shown in this Chandra image. The object appeared more than 1,000 years and has been studied by ancient and Medieval astronomers. Credit: NASA/CXC/Middlebury College/F.Winkler
Supernova remnant SN 1006 shown in this Chandra image. The object appeared more than 1,000 years and has been studied by ancient and Medieval astronomers. Credit: NASA/CXC/Middlebury College/F.Winkler

 

Remnant of Kepler's supernova, which the famous astronomer discovered in 1604. This is a composite image from optical and X-ray data. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/NCSU/M.Burkey et al; Optical: DSS
Remnant of Kepler’s supernova, which the famous astronomer discovered in 1604. This is a composite image from optical and X-ray data. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/NCSU/M.Burkey et al; Optical: DSS

 

Composite image of the Crab Nebula combining X-Ray data from Chandra and optical and infrared data from other observatories. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/F.Seward; Optical: NASA/ESA/ASU/J.Hester & A.Loll; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. Minn./R.Gehrz
Composite image of the Crab Nebula combining X-Ray data from Chandra and optical and infrared data from other observatories. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/F.Seward; Optical: NASA/ESA/ASU/J.Hester & A.Loll; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. Minn./R.Gehrz

 

Composite image of the Tarantula Nebula, an active star-forming region close to the Milky Way. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/L.Townsley et al.; Infrared: NASA/JPL/PSU/L.Townsley et al.
Composite image of the Tarantula Nebula, an active star-forming region close to the Milky Way. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/L.Townsley et al.; Infrared: NASA/JPL/PSU/L.Townsley et al.

 

Composite image of a region of the Small Magellanic Cloud called NGC 602 made with X-Ray data from Chandra. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ.Potsdam/L.Oskinova et al; Optical: NASA/STScI; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Composite image of a region of the Small Magellanic Cloud called NGC 602 made with X-Ray data from Chandra. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ.Potsdam/L.Oskinova et al; Optical: NASA/STScI; Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech

 

The "Toothbrush Cluster" in a composite image with X-Ray Data from Chandra and visible light data from the Subaru Telescope. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/R. van Weeren et al; Radio: LOFAR/ASTRON; Optical: NAOJ/Subaru
The “Toothbrush Cluster” in a composite image with X-Ray Data from Chandra and visible light data from the Subaru Telescope. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/R. van Weeren et al; Radio: LOFAR/ASTRON; Optical: NAOJ/Subaru

 

A cluster of young stars about 20,000 light-years from our planet. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/Sejong Univ./Hur et al; Optical: NASA/STScI
A cluster of young stars about 20,000 light-years from our planet. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/Sejong Univ./Hur et al; Optical: NASA/STScI

 

An older composite image of the galactic center. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/D. Wang et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/D.Wang et al.; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC/S.Stolovy
An older composite image of the galactic center. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/D. Wang et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/D.Wang et al.; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC/S.Stolovy

 

Composite image of galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 which are in the process of merging. The image was made with X-Ray data from Chandra and infrared and optical data from Hubble and Spitzer. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Mineo et al, Optical: NASA/STScI, Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Composite image of galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 which are in the process of merging. The image was made with X-Ray data from Chandra and infrared and optical data from Hubble and Spitzer. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Mineo et al, Optical: NASA/STScI, Infrared: NASA/JPL-Caltech

 

Image of the famous "Pillars of Creation" made with the help of Chandra. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/U.Colorado/Linsky et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/ASU/J.Hester & P.Scowen.
Image of the famous “Pillars of Creation” made with the help of Chandra. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/U.Colorado/Linsky et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/ASU/J.Hester & P.Scowen.

 

The Coronet Cluster which is one of the closest active regions of star formation. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/J.Forbrich et al.; Infrared: NASA/SSC/CfA/IRAC GTO Team

Join the discussion and participate in awesome giveaways in our mobile Telegram group. Join Curiosmos on Telegram Today. t.me/Curiosmos

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Vladislav Tchakarov

Vladislav Tchakarov

Hello, my name is Vladislav and I am glad to have you here on Curiosmos. As a history student, I have a strong passion for history and science, and the opportunity to research and write in this field on a daily basis is a dream come true.

Related Posts

An aerial photograph of a group of several mustatils, created by a mysterious Arabian cult more than 7000 years ago. Credit: AAKSAU
Editor's Picks

Unearthing Ancient Rituals: Mustatils Reveal Secrets of Neolithic Arabia

March 16, 2023 - Updated on February 5, 2025
An image of the pyramid-structure discovered in Peru. Image Credit: Andina.
Editor's Picks

A 5,000-Year-Old Peruvian Pyramid Reveals Unexpected Clues About Ancient Civilization

December 9, 2019 - Updated on January 21, 2024
Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is the staple of science as we know it today. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Editor's Picks

Darwin’s Life, Lessons, and Thoughts Resumed in 10 Key Facts

April 19, 2022 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The Earth may be hiding mountains beneath Earth's surface taller than Everest
Editor's Picks

The Earth may be hiding mountains beneath Earth’s surface taller than Everest

February 15, 2019 - Updated on April 17, 2025
The Event Horizon Telescope captured images of the black hole jets at the center of the Centaurus A galaxy. Credit: X-RAY: CXC/NASA AND SAO; OPTICAL: ROLF OLSEN; INFRARED: JPL-CALTECH/NASA
Editor's Picks

Cosmic Oddities: 7 Strangest Objects in Space

March 27, 2023
Image Credit: Anthony Murphy.
Editor's Picks

Google Maps revealed ancient monuments buried beneath Irish fields

February 25, 2019 - Updated on April 18, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists