A stunning false-color image of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and its companion galaxy NGC 5195. Combined X-ray data from the Chandra Observatory (purple) and visible light from the Hubble Space Telescope reveal hundreds of bright X-ray sources, likely neutron star and black hole binaries, indicating intense star formation. Diffuse X-ray emission (purple) shows multi-million-degree gas heated by supernova explosions.

Astronomy Picture from 10/06/2014

M51: X-Rays from the Whirlpool

Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140610.html


#WhirlpoolGalaxy #M51 #ChandraXray #NASA #Hubble #Space #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Galaxies #XrayAstronomy #CosmicWhirlpool #NeutronStars #BlackHoles #Supernova