NASA reveals 16 stunning galaxies hiding cosmic chaos
NASA has released a collection of 16 images showcasing diverse galaxies, combining data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and other major telescopes. These images provide insights into galactic history, including black hole activity and star formation.
Why it matters
Multi-wavelength astronomical data helps scientists understand the evolution of the universe and the future of our own galaxy.
Some galaxies glow with sweeping spiral arms, while others are shaped by violent collisions, powerful black holes, and explosive bursts of star formation. A newly released collection of 16 images from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes reveals the extraordinary diversity of these cosmic structures.
Like precious gemstones, galaxies come in many shapes and sizes, each with characteristics that tell a story about its history. Astronomers generally classify them into three major groups. Spiral galaxies, including our Milky Way, have winding arms extending from their centers. Elliptical galaxies typically contain older stars and are often thought to form through galactic mergers. Irregular galaxies have less orderly structures and can display a wide variety of cosmic activity.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in