Chandra Release - March 14, 2019

Visual Description: SDSS J1430+1339

The quasar known as SDSS 1430+1339 is shown in this cosmic image. This quasar has a blue, purple, green and gold hue, and appears like a celestial object with an intense glow. The structure of the quasar is dominated by one large bright spot on the right, with a handle-like structure looping off the left. Nicknamed the "Teacup" because of its shape, this quasar is causing an ongoing storm. The composite image contains X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (colored blue) along with an optical view from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (gold, red and green). The "handle" of the Teacup is a ring of optical and X-ray light surrounding a giant bubble. This handle-shaped feature, which is located about 30,000 light-years from the supermassive black hole, was likely formed by one or more eruptions powered by the black hole.