Images by Date
Images by Category
Solar System
Stars
Exoplanets
White Dwarfs
Supernovas
Neutron Stars
Black Holes
Milky Way Galaxy
Normal Galaxies
Quasars
Galaxy Clusters
Cosmology/Deep Field
Miscellaneous
Images by Interest
Space Scoop for Kids
4K JPG
Multiwavelength
Sky Map
Constellations
Photo Blog
Top Rated Images
Image Handouts
Desktops
Fits Files
Visual descriptions
Image Tutorials
Photo Album Tutorial
False Color
Cosmic Distance
Look-Back Time
Scale & Distance
Angular Measurement
Images & Processing
AVM/Metadata
Image Use Policy
Web Shortcuts
Chandra Blog
RSS Feed
Chronicle
Email Newsletter
News & Noteworthy
Image Use Policy
Questions & Answers
Glossary of Terms
Download Guide
Get Adobe Reader
More Images: Chandra Sees Evidence for Possible Planet in Another Galaxy Galaxy
Illustration of Extragalactic Exoplanet System
Credit: NASA/CXC/M. Weiss
Click for large jpg M51-ULS-1
Illustration
Jpeg, Tif
Click for large jpg Possible Orbits
Illustration
Jpeg, Tif
Astronomers have found evidence for a possible planet candidate in the M51 ("Whirlpool") galaxy, representing what could be the first planet detected outside of the Milky Way. Chandra detected the temporary dimming of X-rays from a system where a massive star is in orbit around a neutron star or black hole (shown in the artist's illustration). This dimming is interpreted as being a planet that passed in front of an X-ray source around the neutron star or black hole.

Chandra X-ray & Hubble Optical Images of M51
Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/R. DiStefano, et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/Gendler
Click for large jpg Composite
(Unlabeled)
Jpeg, Tif
Click for large jpg Composite
(Labeled)
Jpeg, Tif
Click for large jpg X-ray
Jpeg, Tif
Click for large jpg Optical
Jpeg, Tif
A composite image of M51 with X-rays from Chandra and optical light from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope contains a box that marks the location of the possible planet candidate.

Light Curve
Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/R. DiStefano, et al.
Click for large jpg Lightcurve
Jpeg, Tif
This light curve shows how X-rays from M51-ULS-1 temporarily decrease to zero during the Chandra observations.

3D printable files of M51/Whirlpool Galaxy
Credit: Tactile Universe, edited by NASA/CXC/SAO
Click for large jpg 3D Print Files
(zipped .obj & .stl files)
Zip
These 3D printable files of M51/Whirlpool galaxy were created by the Tactile Universe and edited by the Chandra team to add the location of the exoplanet candidate. Select the 3D printer of your choice to make your own 3D print of the M51 galaxy.


Return to: Chandra Sees Evidence for Possible Planet in Another Galaxy (October 25, 2021)