X Rays from M83
Explanation:
Bright and beautiful spiral galaxy
M83 lies a mere
twelve million light-years from Earth, toward the
headstrong constellation
Hydra.
Sweeping spiral arms, prominent in visible light images,
lend this galaxy its popular moniker --
the Southern Pinwheel.
In fact, the spiral arms are still apparent in this
Chandra Observatory false-color
x-ray image of M83,
traced by diffuse, hot,
x-ray emitting gas.
But more striking in the
x-ray
image is the galaxy's bright central
region.
The central emission likely represents even hotter gas
created by a
sudden burst
of massive star formation.
Point-like neutron star and black hole x-ray
sources,
final stages in the life cycles of massive stars,
also show a
concentration near
the center of M83 and offer
further evidence for a burst of star formation
at
this galaxy's core.
Light from this burst of star formation
would have first
reached Earth some 20 million years ago.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
