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> The galaxy M82 seen in X-ray

The galaxy M82 seen in X-ray

author: Nasa/Cxc/Novapix

reference: a-gax30-34008

Image Size 300 DPI: 38 * 30 cm

Chandra's X-ray image reveals gas that has been heated to millions of degrees by the violent outflow of matter blasting out of the galaxy. The eruption can be traced back to the central regions of the galaxy where stars are forming at a furious rate, some 10 times faster than in the Milky Way Galaxy. Many of these newly formed stars are very massive and race through their evolution to explode as supernovas. Vigorous mass loss from these stars before they explode, and the heat generated by the supernovas drive the gas out of the galaxy at millions of miles per hour. It is thought that the expulsion of matter from a galaxy during bursts of star formation is one of the main ways of spreading elements like carbon and oxygen throughout the universe.

Keywords for this photo:

2002 - ASTRONOMY - CHANDRA - EVOLUTION - GALAXY - IRREGULAR GALAXY - M82 - NGC 3034 - STAR - STAR FORMATION - URSA MAJOR - X - X-RAY -