. 24/7 Space News .
Chandra Finds Heat At Center Of Andromeda

The color-coded X-ray image of Andromeda shows low energy in red, medium energy in green and high energy in blue. Image credit: NASA/University of Massachusetts/Li & Wang
by Staff Writers
Cambridge MA (SPX) Jun 13, 2006
This color-coded image by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory - red means low energy, green means medium energy and blue means high-energy X-rays - shows the central region of the Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, where a diffuse, X-ray emitting cloud of hot gas was discovered in the midst of a collection of point-like sources.

Analysis of the X-ray data shows the point sources are associated with binary star systems that contain a neutron star or black hole that is pulling matter away from a normal star. As the matter falls toward the neutron star or black hole, it is heated by frictional forces to tens of millions of degrees, and produces X-rays.

The diffuse X-ray cloud is due to gas that has accumulated in the central region and been heated to millions of degrees, probably by shock waves from supernova explosions. The energy input from the supernovas could also be driving gas out of the central region.

This process may affect both the shape and evolution of the galaxy by depleting the raw material for the formation of new stars and preventing more gas from accumulating there.

Andromeda, a large spiral galaxy much like the Milky Way, is relatively nearby and can be easily seen with binoculars in the autumn sky. The galaxy's central region is called the galactic bulge because the stars form a ball a few thousand light years in diameter that extends above and below the disk of the galaxy.

Related Links
Chandra



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


A Tale Of Two Nebulae
Calgary, Alberta (SPX) Jun 07, 2006
Two new images from Gemini Observatory show a pair of beautiful nebulae created by two very different types of stars at what may be similar points in their evolutionary timelines. One is a rare type of very massive spectral-type "O" star. It is surrounded by material it ejected in an explosive event earlier in its life and it continues to lose mass in a steady stellar wind.







  • TPS Enables Study Of Mysterious Pioneer Anomaly
  • One For The Record Books Malaysian Heads Into Space
  • NASA Ames Lays Out CEV Tasks
  • Griffin Welcomes Russian Help In Future Space Missions

  • Spirit Finds Possible Iron Meteorite
  • British Scientists Unveil Latest Craft To Search For Life On Mars
  • Aeroflex Awarded Mars Science Lab Contracts
  • An Ancient Martian Caldera In Apollinaris Patera

  • Sea Launch Awarded Assignment For Thuraya-3 Satellite
  • Sea Launch To Orbit Telecom Satellite June 17
  • NASA Picks Atlas V To Launch Mars Science Laboratory Mission
  • Sea Launch Prepares For Galaxy 16 Liftoff

  • NASA Detector Sees Infrared Light In Colors
  • CALIPSO All Set To Collect Most Detailed Atmospheric Data Yet
  • Land Use Mapped In Philippines
  • EarthData Wins 16 Million Contract To Map Papua New Guinea

  • New Horizons Crosses The Asteroid Belt
  • Trio Of Neptunes And Their Belt
  • New Model Could Explain Eccentric Triton Orbit
  • New Horizons Taking Exploration To Edge Of Sol

  • XMM-Newton Spots Greatest Ball Of Fire
  • Young Supernova Remnants Not Dusty Enough
  • Group Living Takes A Toll On Galaxies
  • Astronomers Find Most Distant Galaxy Cluster Yet

  • The Sky Is Falling
  • SMART-1 Captures Central Peaks Of Zucchius Crater
  • Lunar Highlands And Mare Landscapes
  • Scientist Dreams Of Us Revisiting The Moon

  • Saft To Supply Li-ion Batteries For Galileo Satellites
  • GPS Phones To Streamline And Add Content
  • Lockheed Martin And EADS To Cooperate On Satellite Navigation Standards
  • QinetiQ Joins Galileo Development

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement