X-ray & Optical Images of Markarian 1018
Astronomers may have solved the mystery of the peculiar volatile behavior of a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. These images show data from Chandra and the Very Large Telescope of Markarian 1018. Data from these and other telescopes suggest that the supermassive black hole within this galaxy is no longer being fed enough fuel to make its surroundings shine brightly.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ of Sydney/R.McElroy et al, Optical: ESO/CARS Survey)