Before and After Images of M83 in X-Ray and Optical Light (IMAGE)

Chandra X-ray Center

Before and After Images of M83 in X-Ray and Optical Light

Caption

In Chandra observations that spanned several years, the ULX in M83 increased in X-ray brightness by at least 3,000 times. This sudden brightening is one of the largest changes in X-rays ever seen for this type of object, which do not usually show dormant periods. This can be seen in the difference between the top left and top right panels. The bottom two panels show changes in optical during that time.

Credit

Credit: Optical: ESO/VLT; Close-up - X-ray: NASA/CXC/Curtin University/R. Soria et al., Optical: NASA/STScI/Middlebury College/F. Winkler et al.

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