Images by Date
Images by Category
Solar System
Stars
Exoplanets
White Dwarfs
Supernovas
Neutron Stars
Black Holes
Milky Way Galaxy
Normal Galaxies
Quasars
Galaxy Clusters
Cosmology/Deep Field
Miscellaneous
Images by Interest
Space Scoop for Kids
4K JPG
Multiwavelength
Sky Map
Constellations
Photo Blog
Top Rated Images
Image Handouts
Desktops
Fits Files
Visual descriptions
Image Tutorials
Photo Album Tutorial
False Color
Cosmic Distance
Look-Back Time
Scale & Distance
Angular Measurement
Images & Processing
AVM/Metadata
Image Use Policy
Web Shortcuts
Chandra Blog
RSS Feed
Chronicle
Email Newsletter
News & Noteworthy
Image Use Policy
Questions & Answers
Glossary of Terms
Download Guide
Get Adobe Reader
Perseus A: A Monster Galaxy at the Heart of Perseus Cluster
Perseus A


The active galaxy NGC 1275 is also a well-known radio source (Perseus A) and a strong emitter of X-rays due to the presence of a black hole in the center of the galaxy. The behemoth also lies at the center of the cluster of galaxies known as the Perseus Cluster. By combining multi-wavelength images into a single composite, the dynamics of the galaxy are more easily visible. Detail and structure from x-ray, optical and radio wavelengths combine for an aesthetically pleasing, but nonetheless violent depiction of events going on at the heart of the galaxy.

Chandra data from the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) covers X-ray energies from 0.3-7keV. Hubble data from the Advanced Camera for Surveys covers optical wavelengths in the red, green and blue. Radio data from NRAO's Very Large Array at 328 MHz was also used. In the composite image, the X-ray data contribute to the soft violet shells around the outside of the center. The pinkish lobes toward the center of the galaxy are from radio frequencies. The radio emission, tracing jets from the black hole, fills the X-ray cavities. Dust lanes, star-forming regions, hydrogen filaments, foreground stars, and background galaxies are contributions from the Hubble optical data.

Fast Facts for Perseus A:
Credit  X-ray: NASA/CXC/IoA/A.Fabian et al.; Radio: NRAO/VLA/G. Taylor; Optical: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA) & Univ. of Cambridge/IoA/A. Fabian
Release Date  August 20, 2008
Scale  Image is 3.87 arcmin across.
Category  Groups & Clusters of Galaxies
Coordinates (J2000)  RA 03h 19m 48.10s | Dec +41° 30´ 42"
Constellation  Perseus
Observation Date  August 08 & 10, 2002
Observation Time  54 hours
Obs. ID  3209, 4289
Instrument  ACIS
Also Known As NGC 1275
References A. Fabian et al. Astro-ph/0510476
Color Code  Energy (X-ray: Violet; Radio: Pink; Optical: Red, Green, Blue)
Radio
Optical
X-ray
Distance Estimate  About 250 million light years
distance arrow
Visitor Comments (3)

Wonderful... We can observe more and more how fascinating Universe is.

Posted by André Henrique Bacci on Wednesday, 10.25.17 @ 04:15am


Easily one of the most stunning and beautiful images in astronomy. Chandra time well spent

Posted by Sebastian Heinz on Friday, 06.26.15 @ 16:40pm


Breathtaking and so beautiful.

Posted by Esty Clark on Tuesday, 07.22.14 @ 15:41pm


Rate This Image

Rating: 3.8/5
(568 votes cast)
Download & Share

Desktops

1024x768 - 1011.9 kb
1280x1024 - 1.7 MB
1680x1050 - 2.2 MB
More Information
More Images
Chandra X-ray Image
of Perseus A
Jpg, Tif
Illustration

More Images
Animation & Video
Tour of Perseus A
Animation

More Animations
More Releases
Perseus A
Perseus A
(01 Jun 00)

Related Images
Perseus Cluster
Perseus Cluster
(01 Dec 05)

MS 0735.6+7421
MS 0735.6+7421
(05 Jan 05)

Perseus Cluster
Perseus Cluster
(09 Sep 03)

Related Information
Related Podcast
Top Rated Images
Data Sonification

Brightest Cluster Galaxies

Timelapses: Crab Nebula and Cassiopeia A




FaceBookTwitterYouTubeFlickr