Detection of an echo emitted by our Galaxy's black hole 200 years ago (IMAGE)
Caption
New data from NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has provided evidence that the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy- known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) - went through a very intense period of activity some 200 years ago after gobbling up gas and dust that came within its range. The IXPE data, which shows the echo of this past activity, can be seen in orange in the bottom image. It was combined with data from Chandra, another NASA X-ray observatory, seen in blue, which shows only direct light from the Galactic centre. The top image is a much wider view of the centre of the Milky Way obtained by Chandra.
Credit
© NASA/CXC/SAO/IXPE
Usage Restrictions
If you wish to use the image for an article, you must give credit.
License
Original content