Image: Chandra image of Sgr A

Description: This Chandra image of Sgr A* and the surrounding region is based on data from a series of observations lasting a total of about one million seconds, or almost two weeks. Such a deep observation has given scientists an unprecedented view of the supernova remnant near Sgr A* (known as Sgr A East) and the lobes of hot gas extending for a dozen light years on either side of the black hole. These lobes provide evidence for powerful eruptions occurring several times over the last ten thousand years. The image also contains several mysterious X-ray filaments, some of which may be huge magnetic structures interacting with streams of energetic electrons produced by rapidly spinning neutron stars. Such features are known as pulsar wind nebulas.
Title: Chandra image of Sgr A
Credit: NASA Image of the Day
Author: NASA/CXC/MIT/F. Baganoff, R. Shcherbakov et al.
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No