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NASA's Chandra Finds Black Holes Stirring Up GalaxiesNASA HQ release: 06-006January 10, 2006 George Deutsch/Erica Hupp Headquarters, Washington (Phone: 202/358-1346/1237) Steve Roy Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. (Phone: 256/544-6535) Megan Watzke Chandra X-ray Center, Cambridge, Mass. (Phone: 617/496-7998)
The Chandra data revealed an unsuspected turmoil in elliptical galaxies that belies their calm appearance in optical light. Astronomers believe massive clouds of hot gas in these galaxies have been stirred up by intermittent explosive activity from centrally located super-massive black holes. "This is another example of how valuable it is to observe the universe at different wavelengths besides just the traditional optical wavelengths," said NASA's Chandra Program Scientist Wilt Sanders. "Without these X-ray and radio observations, we wouldn't know these apparently static galaxies in reality are still evolving due to the interaction with their central black holes."
"Most elliptical galaxies have traditionally been considered to be quiet places, like placid lakes," Statler said. "Our results show these galaxies are a lot stormier than we thought." Previous X-ray studies have shown elliptical galaxies contain multimillion degree gas whose mass is a few percent of the stars in it. Except for rare cases, violent activity in elliptical galaxies was thought to have stopped long ago. It was expected the hot gas would have settled into an equilibrium shape similar to, but rounder, than the stars. High angular resolution imaging observations by Chandra indicate otherwise.
Although supernovae are a possible energy source, a more probable cause was identified. The scientists detected a correlation between the shape of the hot gas clouds and the power produced at radio wavelengths by high-energy electrons. This power output can be traced back to the centers of the galaxies, where super-massive black holes are located.
"These results are part of an emerging picture that shows the impact of super-massive black holes on their environment is far more pervasive than previously thought," Statler said. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program for the agency's Science Mission Directorate. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls science and flight operations from the Chandra X-ray Center, Cambridge, Mass. Chandra researchers presented their data today during the 207th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Washington. For Chandra Images and information on the Web, visit: For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: [Press Index] [Press Releases] [Normal Galaxies & Starburst Galaxies] |
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Revised: September 06, 2006
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