Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The new Chandra image focuses on Sagittarius A East, a supernova remnant near—but distinct from—the Milky Way’s central black hole, Sagittarius A*. Astronomers separated the remnant’s diffuse X-ray glow from other sources in the crowded galactic centre, making it easier to map the elements in its debris and study how it affected surrounding gas.
What does the new Chandra image show?
Released by the NASA Chandra X-ray Center on September 30, 2026, the image features Sagittarius A East (Sgr A East), a supernova remnant roughly 26,000 light-years from Earth. Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*)—the galaxy’s central supermassive black hole, with a mass of about 4 million Suns according to NASA’s release—is nearby in the same crowded field, but it is not the image’s main subject.
In NASA’s description, Sgr A* sits inside a bright yellow spiral structure to the right of Sgr A East’s purple emission. The image spans about 7 arcminutes, corresponding to 53 light-years at the estimated distance. These are NASA-reported image details, not independently verified measurements.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How to read the colors
This is a composite of data gathered at different wavelengths, not a conventional-color photograph. The colors are assigned to show different kinds of observations:
#1 Best Overall
- Green: lower-energy Chandra X-rays.
- Light blue: higher-energy Chandra X-rays.
- Red: radio data from the NSF Very Large Array.
- Dark blue: submillimeter data from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope.
Where the two X-ray bands overlap near Sgr A East’s centre, they appear purple. The vivid colors represent mapped data, not what a human eye would see in visible light.
Why this view is cleaner
The galactic centre is packed with X-ray sources. The researchers used a source-separation technique to remove contributions from other X-ray sources, allowing them to examine Sgr A East’s diffuse emission more clearly. They also produced maps showing the distribution of iron, sulfur, argon, and calcium within the remnant.
The analysis draws on 35 Chandra observations made between September 1999 and August 2020. NASA reports a total observation time of 422 hours and 51 minutes—5 days, 6 hours, and 51 minutes. The composite also incorporates radio and submillimeter data, which provide views of the region in other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWhat Sgr A East may have done to its surroundings
The authors’ interpretation is that the remnant expanded into surrounding gas, compressed and heated it, and helped shape an asymmetric three-dimensional structure. As quoted in NASA’s release, the authors wrote: “They have shown that Sgr A East has expanded into, compressed and heated the gas surrounding it, shaping its three-dimensional asymmetrical structure.” The release identifies McGill University’s Mayura Balakrishnan as the study’s lead author.
The work supports the view that Sgr A East injected energy into its surroundings and helped keep nearby gas hot and turbulent over the remnant’s lifetime. NASA says the findings may help researchers investigate whether winds from a nearby stellar cluster shaped the remnant, identify the star that exploded, and assess whether the remnant contributed to past outbursts from Sgr A*. Those are research questions, not proof that Sgr A East directly triggered a black-hole outburst.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How old is the remnant?
NASA describes Sgr A East as having an approximate lifetime of about 10,000 years, while explicitly noting that its exact age remains uncertain. The figure refers to the estimated age of the remnant, not a precisely dated explosion.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
