Where In the Universe #151

by Nancy Atkinson on September 8, 2011

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It’s back by popular demand! Here’s a new Where In The Universe Challenge. Name where in the Universe this image was taken depicts and give yourself extra points if you can name the telescope or spacecraft responsible for the image. Post your guesses in the comments section, and check back on later at this same post to find the answer. To make this challenge fun for everyone, please don’t include links or extensive explanations with your answer. Good luck!

UPDATE: The answer has now been posted below.

This is a Chandra image of four bright, variable X-ray sources that were discovered within 3 light years of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). The variability suggests these are X-ray binary systems where a black hole or neutron star is pulling matter from a nearby companion star. Such a high concentration of X-ray binaries in this region is strong circumstantial evidence that a dense swarm of 10,000 or more stellar-mass black holes and neutron stars has formed around Sgr A*.

For more images and info see the Chandra website.

About

Nancy Atkinson is Universe Today's Senior Editor. She also is the host of the NASA Lunar Science Institute podcast and works with the Astronomy Cast and 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts. Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.

  • lunej le

    Sgr A* in the center of Milky Way, taken by Chandra?!

  • http://twitter.com/SchumiUCD Ciaran Ruane

    “Name where in the Universe this image was taken”

    Earth?

    • Anonymous

      OK, you got me there. Have changed the wording….

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shekhar-Lele/1206106356 Shekhar Lele

      good one

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shekhar-Lele/1206106356 Shekhar Lele

      good one

  • http://www.facebook.com/bystander53 Paul Connelly

    Sgr A* – Chandra

    but I see someone has beaten me to it.

  • John Reed

    It is clearly Chandra X-ray Image of Galactic Center X-ray Binaries. But I only know that because I dragged the picture into the Google Images search box :)

  • Erik Wessel

    Umm, some sort of X-ray thing by Chandra I’m guessing. (I think that’s vague enough that I can’t be wrong)

  • David Jennings

    your all wrong but it looks like god giving us the finger.

  • http://twitter.com/EdwinQuail Edwin Quail

    Centre of our galaxy ‘Milky Way’ – Chandra X-ray Observatory – around January 2005 I think.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Lochana-Allendale-Pahalawatte/1348838531 Lochana Allendale Pahalawatte

    Yaay it’s back!
    Looks like an X-ray image of the centre of a galaxy; not sure. By Chandra maybe?

  • Anonymous

    its Galactic Center X-ray Binaries by Chandra

  • Bharath Purtipli

    Region around Sagittarius A. This is an X-Ray, image, I suppose, taken by the Chandra X-Ray observatory. Probably having many Black Holes….

    • WaxyMary

      If Sag A* has more than one SMBH there might be more of an AGN to our dear mom, the Milky Way. You don’t want to see it angry.

      Mary

  • Bharath Purtipli

    I think I’m very late….

  • Anonymous

    *Thumbs up* ;)

  • Anonymous

    *Thumbs up* ;)

  • pilax x

    lunej, congrats! :)

  • pilax x

    lunej, congrats! :)

  • Lino

    This is the Hand of God from the center of the Galaxy

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