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Orange spots in a new image of NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory add another dimension to the very first image of a black hole. This additional image offers an enlarged perspective of the same extremely dense structure of the now viral image, helping scientists to learn more about what is happening in the vicinity of the black hole.
The supermassive black hole shown in both images is located in the elliptical galaxy Messier 87. It's a monster; this black hole has a mass several billion times greater than that of the sun of the Earth.
To provide a bit more perspective on this structure and the powerful effect it has on the issue, scientists collaborating with the Horizon Telescope Event (EHT) captured a different view of that same target. They did it in parallel with the EHT observations made in April 2017, according to A declaration published the same day as the photo of the black hole.
Related: First historical images of a black hole show: Einstein was right (again)
Related: How does the Horizon telescope of the event chase the silhouettes of black holes
To capture the incredible image of the shadow of a supermassive black hole, the EHT project has collected data from a global set of radio antennas. On Wednesday, April 10, the incredible feat of finally being able to image this enigmatic structure astonished scientists and the public.
But another instrument in space, Chandra, observes for two decades the galaxy of the black hole, collecting data in a different wavelength: X-rays. Astronomers have watched Chandra watch Messier 87 (M87) for about 30 000 seconds, or about 8.3 hours, while the network of EHT dishes was taking its observations from the ground.
the four ultra-sensitive mirrors that Chandra carries on its orbit around the Earth the X-rays of the M87 gas envelope to several million degrees.
These X-rays came from high-energy particles that the black hole was throwing into space. The material gave a jet shape that extends over 1,000 light-years from the center of the M87, Chandra's representatives said in the statement. Viewers can observe the stream more clearly in the enlarged picture inset.
Black holes are ultra-dense structures that exert a huge gravitational force. Beyond the threshold of a black hole, the event horizon, even the light, can not escape.
It is thought that each galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole, like that of M87, at its center.
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