In honor of American Archives Month, NASA has released a selection of eight <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmission_pages%2Fchandra%2Fnews%2Fxray-universe-legacy.html%23.Um-9R5RVA7v" target="_blank" target="_blank">never-before-seen images</a> from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, a telescope in space. This image is of a galaxy, NGC 4945, that is about 13 million light years away from Earth. It looks like the Milky Way, but it contains a supermassive black hole within the white area near the top of the image.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
In honor of American Archives Month, NASA has released a selection of eight never-before-seen images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, a telescope in space. This image is of a galaxy, NGC 4945, that is about 13 million light years away from Earth. It looks like the Milky Way, but it contains a supermassive black hole within the white area near the top of the image.
NASA/CXC/SAO
When radiation and winds from massive young stars impact clouds of cool gas, they can trigger new generations of stars to form. This is what might be happening in this object, known as the Elephant Trunk Nebula.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
When radiation and winds from massive young stars impact clouds of cool gas, they can trigger new generations of stars to form. This is what might be happening in this object, known as the Elephant Trunk Nebula.
NASA/CXC/SAO
This galactic supernova remnant, known as 3C397, has an unusual box-like shape. Researchers think that is because the heated remains of the exploded star are running into cooler gas.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
This galactic supernova remnant, known as 3C397, has an unusual box-like shape. Researchers think that is because the heated remains of the exploded star are running into cooler gas.
NASA/CXC/SAO
This supernova was likely produced by the collapse of a star's central core.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
This supernova was likely produced by the collapse of a star's central core.
NASA/CXC/SAO
This region of glowing gas, in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way, is about 9,000 light years from Earth.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
This region of glowing gas, in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way, is about 9,000 light years from Earth.
NASA/CXC/SAO
In the past century, eight supernovas have been observed in the arms of NGC 6946, a galaxy about 22 million light years away from Earth. NGC 6946 is also nicknamed the "Fireworks Galaxy."
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
In the past century, eight supernovas have been observed in the arms of NGC 6946, a galaxy about 22 million light years away from Earth. NGC 6946 is also nicknamed the "Fireworks Galaxy."
NASA/CXC/SAO
This image was produced by the explosion of a massive star in the Milky Way.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
This image was produced by the explosion of a massive star in the Milky Way.
NASA/CXC/SAO
Giant plumes of radiation are seen near galaxy 3C353, the tiny point at the center of this image.
Never-seen images of the cosmos —
Giant plumes of radiation are seen near galaxy 3C353, the tiny point at the center of this image.
NASA/CXC/SAO