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X-ray, Optical and Temperature Map Images of NGC 5813
These images show an intergalactic "weather map" around the elliptical galaxy NGC 5813. Just like a weather map for Earth, the colored circle depicts variations in temperature across a region. This particular map presents the range of temperature in a region of space as observed by Chandra, with the hotter temperatures shown in red and decreasingly cooler temperatures shown in orange, yellow, green, and blue. Regular outbursts generated by the supermassive black hole at the center of NGC 5813 provide heat, preventing much of the gas near the center of the galaxy from cooling to allow new stars to form.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Randall et al., Optical: SDSS)
These images show an intergalactic "weather map" around the elliptical galaxy NGC 5813. Just like a weather map for Earth, the colored circle depicts variations in temperature across a region. This particular map presents the range of temperature in a region of space as observed by Chandra, with the hotter temperatures shown in red and decreasingly cooler temperatures shown in orange, yellow, green, and blue. Regular outbursts generated by the supermassive black hole at the center of NGC 5813 provide heat, preventing much of the gas near the center of the galaxy from cooling to allow new stars to form.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Randall et al., Optical: SDSS)
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3-color Chandra Image
This Chandra image shows hot gas within and around the large elliptical galaxy NGC 5813. Cavities in the gas have been produced by powerful jets formed near the central supermassive black hole, located in the center of the image. These cavities drive shock waves - like sonic booms - outwards, heating the gas.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Randall et al.)
This Chandra image shows hot gas within and around the large elliptical galaxy NGC 5813. Cavities in the gas have been produced by powerful jets formed near the central supermassive black hole, located in the center of the image. These cavities drive shock waves - like sonic booms - outwards, heating the gas.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/S.Randall et al.)
3
Wide Field Optical Image of NGC 5813
This optical image from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey shows a group of galaxies located about 105 million light years away. The elliptical galaxy NGC 5813 is located in the center.
(Credit: SDSS)
This optical image from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey shows a group of galaxies located about 105 million light years away. The elliptical galaxy NGC 5813 is located in the center.
(Credit: SDSS)
Return to NGC 5813 (December 08, 2010)
Revised: January 25, 2023