{
  "id": 12180198,
  "title": "Chandra X-ray Observatory Drops New View of our Galaxy’s Unruly Centre",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/chandra-x-ray-observatory-drops-new-view-of-our-galaxys-unruly-centre",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-05T15:52:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Universe Today",
    "slug": "universe-today",
    "url": "https://www.universetoday.com/articles/chandra-x-ray-observatory-drops-new-view-of-our-galaxys-unruly-centre"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chandra X-ray Observatory has unveiled a stunning new image of our galaxy's unruly core, focusing on a supernova remnant known as Sagittarius A East (Sgr A East). This dramatic view showcases the supernova remnant, illuminated like a cosmic chandelier, dancing in front of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), which lies at the heart of the Milky Way. The supernova exploded around 10,000 years ago, leaving behind a red ring surrounding a hot blue core.\n\nTo separate the Chandra's view of Sgr A East from other X-ray sources, astronomers employed a special technique. This allowed them to study the diffuse emission and map elements like iron, sulfur, argon, and calcium. The image is a combination of three different wavelengths: high-energy X-rays in blue, lower-energy X-rays in green, and radio waves in red. The submillimeter data from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope adds a deeper, dark blue hue to the scene.\n\nThe findings suggest that Sgr A East and the black hole aren't just neighbors but are in a turbulent relationship, actively influencing each other and their surroundings. The supernova remnant has expanded, compressed, and shock-heated the surrounding molecular material, potentially carving cavities that shape the three-dimensional structure of the region. This work has also allowed researchers to see more clearly which X-ray signals come from which source, separating out various elements within the supernova explosion.",
  "summary": "The core of the Milky Way is a dense, active, messy region, dominated by a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) hiding at the heart of the galaxy. But Sgr A* is only a supporting actor in this stunning new image from the Chandra X-ray Observatory.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chandra X-ray Observatory reveals new image of galaxy's center",
    "Sagittarius A East supernova remnant illuminated like cosmic chandelier",
    "Supernova exploded 10,000 years ago, shaping surrounding material"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}