Chandra Images on Display in Washington, DC Metro Stations

NGC 3324
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; IR (Spitzer): NASA/JPL-Caltech; IR (Webb): NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI)

If you happen to be riding the Metro subway system in Washington, DC over the next few months, take a moment to check out the video displays. On six stations, images from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory will be featured as a cosmic distraction while you wait for the next train.

Galactic Center
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/UMass/D. Wang et al.; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI/D.Wang et al.; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC/S.Stolovy)

From July 17th through October 15th, you will be able to see exploded stars, regions of forming stars, galaxies, and much more through the X-ray eyes of Chandra combined with views from other NASA telescopes. The stations with these space vistas will be L’Enfant Plaza, Metro Center, Gallery Place – Chinatown, Farragut North, NoMa – Gallaudet University, and Crystal City.

M51
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; UV: NASA/JPL-Caltech; Optical: NASA/STScI; IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Chandra celebrates its 25th anniversary of operations on July 23, 2024. This project was made possible by a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, one of the Smithsonian’s research units, operates the Chandra X-ray Center on behalf of NASA

(Credit: Photo: Smithsonian / Updated October 2024)

-Megan Watzke, CXC