Chandra X-ray Observatory - HomeAbout The ChandraEducational MaterialsField GuidePhoto AlbumPress RoomResources
Chandra X-ray Observatory - HomeChandra Photo Album - You are here
ObservatoryImages by DateImages by CategorySky MapConstellationsSpecial FeaturesChandra Zoom-insImage HandoutsScale Bar ImagesTutorial Chandra Images & False Color Note on Cosmic DistanceCosmic Look Back TimeScale & DistanceScale & Angular MeasurementImage Use
Web Site ToolsVisit the Chandra ChroniclesEmail NewsletterSite MapNew & NoteworthyImage Use PolicyQuestions & AnswersGlossaryDownload Guide

3C438 Animations

Click for high-resolution animation Images of 3C438 and Surrounding Galaxy Cluster
Quicktime MPEG This sequence of images shows how 3c438, the galaxy at the center of this cluster, looks in various types of light. The X-ray image shows a much different structure from the optical image, including a massive arc-like structure to the lower left. There are also hints of a cavity in the hot gas to the upper left. Jets seen in the radio image do not point in the same directions as the cavity structure, adding more mysteries about this system.
[Runtime: 0:25]
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.P.Kraft; Optical: Pal.Obs. DSS; Radio: NRAO/VLA/A.H.Bridle & R.G.Strom)

Merging Galaxy Clusters Animation of Galaxy Cluster Merger
QuickTime MPEG Astronomers think the most likely explanation for what is seen in 3C438 was the powerful collision of two massive galaxy clusters. Such clusters are among the largest structures in the Universe. If two clusters collided at high speeds, it would unleash an enormous amount of energy as Chandra's X-ray data indicates.
[Runtime: 0:38]
Animation: NASA/CXC/A.Hobart

Animation of Eruption from Supermassive Black Hole Animation of Black Hole Eruption
QuickTime MPEG A possible detection of a cavity in the hot gas around 3C438, seen by Chandra, would require a tremendous amount of energy to produce. This animation shows how astronomers think such X-ray cavities are generated. When matter funnels into a supermassive black hole, some of the matter is expelled in a high-speed jet. Such jets would carve space into the hot gas, creating cavities.
[Run Time: 0:17]
(Animation: NASA/CXC/A.Hobart)
View Still Images of Black Hole Eruption


Return to 3C438 (30 May 07)

Chandra Images: '08 | ' 07 | ' 06 | ' 05 | ' 04 | ' 03 | ' 02 | ' 01 | ' 00 | ' 99 | Images by Category




separator line
CXC Home | Search | Help | Site Map | Image Use Policy | Privacy & Accessibility | Downloads & Plugins
Latest Images | New & Noteworthy | Multimedia | Flash Ecards | Glossary | Q&A | Guestbook


RSS Feed RSS Feed | Podcast Podcast | Blog Blog

[News by email: Chandra Digest]
[Contact us: cxcpub@cfa.harvard.edu]
NASA's Home Page Smithsonian's Home Page CXC Home Page Image Map for NASA's, Smithsonian and Chandra's Home Pages
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: 617.496.7941 Fax: 617.495.7356


Text Size:
normal font large font larger font
Chandra X-ray Center, Operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
This site was developed with funding from NASA under Contract NAS8-03060.
Revised: May 30, 2007