Gallery of X-ray and Optical Images of Elliptical Galaxies
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A sample from the new Chandra study shows how the X-ray emission (blue and white) is much different from the optical images, thus revealing unsuspected turmoil in these old, elliptical galaxies. Astronomers believe that massive clouds of hot gas in these galaxies have been stirred up by intermittent explosive activity from centrally located supermassive black holes.
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(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/U. Ohio/T.Statler & S.Diehl; Optical: DSS TRT:)