During the last week Chandra completed the observing schedule as planned.

Chandra passed through the 4th and 5th eclipses of the season on Mar 5 and 8 respectively, with nominal power and thermal performance.

A real-time procedure was executed on Mar 10 to patch SCS31 to use Fine Sun Sensor B in safe Mode.

Chandra press and image releases were issued on Mar 8 describing observations of the galaxy 3C 297. In several regards, 3C 297 has the qualities of a galaxy cluster. X-ray data from Chandra reveal large quantities of gas heated to millions of degrees and an X-ray hotspot indicative of a jet-galaxy interaction. However the galaxy appears to be isolated. Recent Chandra data indicate 3C 297 is most likely a “fossil group” instead of a galaxy cluster, a stage of galactic evolution where one galaxy is pulling in and merging with others. If that is the case, 3C 297 represents the most distant fossil group ever found. For details see: https://chandra.si.edu/press/23_releases/press_030823.html

The schedule of targets for the next week is shown below and includes observations of SDSS J094533.99+100950.1 and SDSS J110409.96+434507.0 which are coordinated with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, and an observation of Terzan 5, which was accepted as a Director's Discretionary Time Target of Opportunity on Mar 1.