NASA Releases Treasure Trove of Stunning Cosmic Images

NASA has released a “Treasure Trove of Cosmic Delights”Opens in a new tab and they are all astronomical pieces of eye candy. Each one of the images is made up of light collected by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, as well as other telescopes. Amongst the visual treats are everything from a cluster of galaxies to a binary star system 5 million times brighter than the Sun.

Science and NatureOpens in a new tab picked up on NASA’s new trove of images, which the agency recently released. In an announcement, NASA said these images are “multiwavelength” composite images—made up of electromagnetic waves spanning from radio waves to gamma rays—and are crucial for developing a better understanding of cosmological objects. Below is a selection of five of the images:

The Cartwheel Galaxy

The Cartwheel Galaxy is special in that it once had a smaller, lenticular galaxy moving through it. As the smaller galaxy moved through the larger one, it produced star-forming shock waves. X-rays from Chandra (purple) show the gases made hot by the shock waves.

X-ray: NASA/CXC; Optical: NASA/STScIOpens in a new tab

Eta Carinae

Eta Carinae is a volatile binary star system. Combined, its two stars are five million times as luminous as the SunOpens in a new tab. This image combines three types of light: optical, appearing as white; ultraviolet, appearing as cyan; and X-ray, appearing as purple.

NASA/ESA/N. Smith, et al.Opens in a new tab 

The Helix Nebula

The Helix Nebula consists of an expanding, glowing shell of ionized gas ejected from a red giant star. This image contains infrared lightOpens in a new tab (green and red), optical light (orange and blue), and X-rays (white).

NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC/CXC, et al.Opens in a new tab

Supernova 1987A

Supernova 1987A was a type II supernova (i.e. a luminous and powerful stellar explosion) in the Large Magellanic CloudOpens in a new tab. Chandra’s X-ray images (blue), show where the supernova’s shockwave ran into surrounding material.

ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), P. Cigan and R. Indebetouw, et al.Opens in a new tab

M82

M82, or Messier 82 is a galaxy we observe edge-on. This viewpoint allows astronomers to observe bursts of star formation in unique ways. In this image, X-rays reveal gas outflows (blue and pink) that are 20,000-light-years long and above ten million degrees Fahrenheit thanks to supernova explosionsOpens in a new tab.

X-ray: NASA/CXC; Optical: NASA/STScIOpens in a new tab

What do you think about NASA’s new treasure trove of “cosmic delights”? Do you have a favorite, or is it impossible to pick? Let’s gush about the beauty of space in the comments!

Feature image:  NASA/CXC/SAO, et al.Opens in a new tab