With its spectacular mirrors and instrumentation, Chandra allows astronomers to observe X-rays from the universe as they never have before. Here we present some collections of these exciting Chandra images to browse through. For more Chandra images, please visit our Photo Album.
1. From the Earth to the Heavens Flash
There are patterns of beauty across Earth and throughout the Universe. This activity invites you to compare aerial photographs of our planet taken by Yann Arthus-Bertrand to X-ray images of the cosmos taken by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. We hope these pairings provide an intriguing new way to view the striking visual patterns made by these very different objects.
There are patterns of beauty across Earth and throughout the Universe. This activity invites you to compare aerial photographs of our planet taken by Yann Arthus-Bertrand to X-ray images of the cosmos taken by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. We hope these pairings provide an intriguing new way to view the striking visual patterns made by these very different objects.
2. The Universe in a Jelly Bean Jar Flash
Most of the Universe is dark. The protons, neutrons and electrons that make up the stars, planets and us represent only a small fraction of the mass and energy of the Universe. The rest is dark and mysterious. How can X-rays help reveal the secrets of this darkness?
See also: The Universe Darkly and The Universe.
Most of the Universe is dark. The protons, neutrons and electrons that make up the stars, planets and us represent only a small fraction of the mass and energy of the Universe. The rest is dark and mysterious. How can X-rays help reveal the secrets of this darkness?
See also: The Universe Darkly and The Universe.
3. Locating Historic Supernovas in the Milky Way Flash
In this feature, explore the approximate positions and names (shown in orange) of historical supernovas in the Milky Way. These are stellar explosions that are thought to have occurred in the last 2,000 years and may have been seen by early astronomers.
In this feature, explore the approximate positions and names (shown in orange) of historical supernovas in the Milky Way. These are stellar explosions that are thought to have occurred in the last 2,000 years and may have been seen by early astronomers.
4. The Truth and Lies about Black Holes Flash
Black holes have a bad reputation. After all, something that could swallow you completely sounds pretty scary. They're invisible, so maybe there's one just around the corner and we dont know it! Also, arent they enormous vacuum cleaners capable of destroying anything that gets near them? Once the black hole starts pulling on something, isnt that just a one-way ticket to oblivion? Well, not all of these things are exactly true. (requires flash)
See also: Video Podcast
Black holes have a bad reputation. After all, something that could swallow you completely sounds pretty scary. They're invisible, so maybe there's one just around the corner and we dont know it! Also, arent they enormous vacuum cleaners capable of destroying anything that gets near them? Once the black hole starts pulling on something, isnt that just a one-way ticket to oblivion? Well, not all of these things are exactly true. (requires flash)
See also: Video Podcast
5. Blasts From The Past: Historic Supernovas Flash |
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Every 50 years or so, a star in our Galaxy blows itself apart in a supernova explosion, one of the most violent events in the Universe. The force of these explosions produces spectacular light shows. Explosions in past millennia have been bright enough to catch the attention of early astronomers hundreds of years before the telescope had been invented. (requires flash)
See also: Historic Supernovas article
Every 50 years or so, a star in our Galaxy blows itself apart in a supernova explosion, one of the most violent events in the Universe. The force of these explosions produces spectacular light shows. Explosions in past millennia have been bright enough to catch the attention of early astronomers hundreds of years before the telescope had been invented. (requires flash)
See also: Historic Supernovas article
6. Interactive Guide to Stellar Evolution Flash |
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This interactive guide illustrates the ongoing drama of stellar evolution, and how the rate of evolution and the ultimate fate of a star depends on its mass. (requires flash)
See also: Stellar Evolution Field Guide
This interactive guide illustrates the ongoing drama of stellar evolution, and how the rate of evolution and the ultimate fate of a star depends on its mass. (requires flash)
See also: Stellar Evolution Field Guide
7. Chandra's Gallery of Galaxies Flash
This interactive feature probes the characteristics of the galaxies Chandra has observed. (requires flash)
This interactive feature probes the characteristics of the galaxies Chandra has observed. (requires flash)
8. Image of the Year: 1999 to 2006
We asked you which images you enjoyed the most for each year since Chandra launched in 1999. Here are the results.
We asked you which images you enjoyed the most for each year since Chandra launched in 1999. Here are the results.
9. Chandra Podcasts
Now you can take Chandra anywhere, be it school, work or play. Just download Chandra Podcasts to your portable MP3 player and go!
Now you can take Chandra anywhere, be it school, work or play. Just download Chandra Podcasts to your portable MP3 player and go!
10.Supernova Remnants with Chandra (305 Kb requires flash)
The Chandra X-ray Observatory has provided spectacular examples of the remnants of one of the most dramatic events in the cosmos: supernovas that signal the end of massive stars.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory has provided spectacular examples of the remnants of one of the most dramatic events in the cosmos: supernovas that signal the end of massive stars.
11. The Solar System Through Chandra's Eyes
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Chandra's specialty is probing the super-hot regions around exploding stars, galaxies, or black holes. But Chandra has also shown that the relatively peaceful realms of space, such as our Solar System, sometimes shine in X-ray light. (requires flash)
See also: Solar System Field Guide
Chandra's specialty is probing the super-hot regions around exploding stars, galaxies, or black holes. But Chandra has also shown that the relatively peaceful realms of space, such as our Solar System, sometimes shine in X-ray light. (requires flash)
See also: Solar System Field Guide
12. Highlights from Chandra Flash
Discover the unique beauty of Chandra's latest images. (requires flash, 1200 x 800 pixels)
Discover the unique beauty of Chandra's latest images. (requires flash, 1200 x 800 pixels)
13.Chandra X-Ray Observatory: Behind the X-rays
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An interactive exploration of Chandra's hardware, including a look at the telescope system, science instruments and spacecraft system. (requires flash)
An interactive exploration of Chandra's hardware, including a look at the telescope system, science instruments and spacecraft system. (requires flash)
14. Chandra Slideshow
Quickly navigate to the latest and greatest images from Chandra. Especially helpful for anyone who has trouble remembering the names of obscure images.
Quickly navigate to the latest and greatest images from Chandra. Especially helpful for anyone who has trouble remembering the names of obscure images.
15. Exploring Black Holes with Chandra
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With its unique properties, Chandra is peerless as a black hole probe - both near and far. Not even Chandra can "see" into black holes, but it can tackle many of their other mysteries. (requires flash)
See also: Black Hole Field Guide
With its unique properties, Chandra is peerless as a black hole probe - both near and far. Not even Chandra can "see" into black holes, but it can tackle many of their other mysteries. (requires flash)
See also: Black Hole Field Guide
16. Virtual Tour of the Milky Way
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Take a conceptual galactic tour from Chandra's orbit around the Earth to the outskirts of our galaxy and back again. (requires flash)
Plain text description also available.
See also: Milky Way Field Guide
Take a conceptual galactic tour from Chandra's orbit around the Earth to the outskirts of our galaxy and back again. (requires flash)
Plain text description also available.
See also: Milky Way Field Guide
17. Major Milestones in X-ray Astronomy
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Chandra is part of a long history of X-ray astronomy, streching back to the early 1960s. (requires flash)
Chandra is part of a long history of X-ray astronomy, streching back to the early 1960s. (requires flash)
18. Chandra Puzzle: Top 9 Chandra Images (August 2003-2004)
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Explore some of the most stunning Chandra images from the past year. Click on a puzzle piece to explore that image. (requires flash)
Explore some of the most stunning Chandra images from the past year. Click on a puzzle piece to explore that image. (requires flash)
19. Chandra Image Features: Chandra's "X-ray Eyes"
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Witness the Universe through the "X-ray eyes" of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Scroll through 20 of Chandra's most spectacular images in this flash piece. (requires flash)
Witness the Universe through the "X-ray eyes" of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Scroll through 20 of Chandra's most spectacular images in this flash piece. (requires flash)
20. Chandra Image Features: Zoom in
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Come fly with Chandra! Use this Flash tool to zoom in on the magnetic tornado around the neutron star at the center of the Crab Nebula, surf a supernova shock wave, venture close to a supermassive black hole, or cruise along a high-energy jet that is blasting out of a nearby galaxy.
See the latest Chandra Images with Zoom In feature. (requires flash)
Come fly with Chandra! Use this Flash tool to zoom in on the magnetic tornado around the neutron star at the center of the Crab Nebula, surf a supernova shock wave, venture close to a supermassive black hole, or cruise along a high-energy jet that is blasting out of a nearby galaxy.
See the latest Chandra Images with Zoom In feature. (requires flash)
21. Top Ten for Chandra's Fourth
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Among its array of revelations in 2002-2003, news about black holes pulled in most of the headlines with four of the top five stories from Chandra during its fourth year in operation.
Among its array of revelations in 2002-2003, news about black holes pulled in most of the headlines with four of the top five stories from Chandra during its fourth year in operation.
22. Chandra's Top 10 of 2001
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Now in its third year of observation, Chandra has observed not only strange stars, but black holes, galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena. Taking a look back, here are some of the highlights of the past year with Chandra.
Now in its third year of observation, Chandra has observed not only strange stars, but black holes, galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena. Taking a look back, here are some of the highlights of the past year with Chandra.
23. Chandra's 2nd Anniversary
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For the 2nd anniversary of Chandra's launch and First Light, we bring you a look back at some of the spectacular observations that Chandra has taken.
For the 2nd anniversary of Chandra's launch and First Light, we bring you a look back at some of the spectacular observations that Chandra has taken.
Note: Some of these interactive pieces require the Macromedia Flash Player. Please visit http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/ to download the free Flash Player.
Revised: September 29, 2008