In the past quarter century, the Chandra X-ray Observatory has revolutionized our understanding of X-ray astronomy. To celebrate its incredible accomplishments, the Chandra team has released 25 never-before-seen views of the cosmos, showcasing the observatory’s profound impact on space exploration.
Each of the images unveiled contains data from both Chandra and the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb). Since Webb began its science operations in 2022, the two telescopes have worked in tandem, merging infrared and X-ray wavelengths to provide a more comprehensive view of the universe. This collaboration allows astronomers to delve deeper into long-standing mysteries across the cosmos.
The targets highlighted in this release include:
- Top Left: The Pillars of Creation (M16)
- Top Right: Cassiopeia A
- Bottom Left: NGC 1365 (including data from the Very Large Telescope, VLT)
- Bottom Right: WR 124 (including data from Herschel, WISE, and Spitzer telescopes)
By combining their unique capabilities, Chandra and Webb have opened new windows into the universe, enabling the exploration of phenomena that were previously beyond our reach. These new images are a testament to the power of collaborative astronomical research and the advancements achieved over the last 25 years.
To learn more about Chandra’s 25th anniversary and explore the newly released images, visit NASA’s website.
Happy 25th anniversary, Chandra X-ray Observatory! Here’s to many more years of groundbreaking discoveries and cosmic revelations.
