Chandra X-ray Center

Chandra Xray Observatory

The Chandra X-ray Center is operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and developed with funding from NASA under contract NAS8-03060.

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Chandra Facts

Chandra Xray Observatory facts

The Chandra X-ray Observatory is the world's most powerful X-ray telescope. It has eight-times greater resolution and is able to detect sources more than 20-times fainter than any previous X-ray telescope.

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Solar system collage

Solar System: A group of heavenly bodies consisting of a star, planets and other objects orbiting around it.

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Chandra Latest News, Features and Photos

Composite of M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy

M101: A Pinwheel in Many Colors

This multi-spectral view shows that both young and old stars are evenly distributed along the Pinwheel Galaxy's tightly-wound spiral arms.

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Composite image of galaxy UGC 5189A

A Supernova Cocoon Breakthrough

Observations with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory may help astronomers understand why some supernovas are much more powerful than others.

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This computer-simulated image shows gas from a star that is ripped apart by tidal forces as it falls into a black hole. Some of the gas also is being ejected at high speeds into space.

Black Hole Caught Red-Handed in a Stellar Homicide

Chandra studies the hot gas from a star being ripped apart by tidal forces as it falls into a black hole.

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Composite image of spiral galaxy M83

Chandra Sees Remarkable Outburst From Old Black Hole

An extraordinary outburst by a black hole in a nearby galaxy has provided direct evidence for a population of old, volatile stellar black holes.

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Flickr: Chandra's 'Greatest Hits'

Overview: Chandra X-ray Observatory

    The Chandra X-ray Observatory is part of NASA's fleet of "Great Observatories" along with the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitizer Space Telescope and the now deorbited Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Chandra allows scientists from around the world to obtain X-ray images of exotic environments to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe. The Chandra X-ray Observatory program is managed by NASA's Marshall Center for the Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

    The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in Cambridge, Mass., is responsible for the conduct of the day-to-day flight operations and science activities from the Operations Control Center and Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) facilities. The CXC Web site is the primary resource for information on the Chanda X-ray Observatory mission. › View Site

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Chandra Contact Information

    For media support regarding the Chandra X-ray Observatory, please contact:

    Megan Watzke
    Chandra X-ray Center
    Cambridge, Mass.
    Phone: 617-496-7998
    mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu

    Janet Anderson
    Marshall Space Flight Center
    Huntsville, Ala.
    Phone: 256-544-0034
    Janet.L.Anderson@nasa.gov