Chandra Release - March 20, 2000

Visual Description: Type 2 Quasar

The  astronomical image features a Type 2 quasar, which is a powerful point-like X-ray source. This type of quasar is characterized by the presence of an active supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.  The image consists of two frames, with one frame showing a bright concentrated light in the very center, while the other frame shows a larger, dimmer and more elongated light in the center.  The colors of the image are predominantly orange and black, creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere.   The Chandra X-ray Observatory image (left) is a powerful point-like source of X rays. The Hubble Space Telescope image (right panel) shows the spiral galaxy with which the X-ray source is associated. The X-ray source is located at the center of the galaxy, and has a deficit of low energy X rays, consistent with absorption by a thick cloud of gas. The spread-out appearance of the X-ray source is an instrumental artifact.