#X-ray astronomy

All articles tagged with "X-ray astronomy"

NASA's IXPE detected a 'reflected shock effect' at the rim of RCW 86 where its unusually rapid expansion has halted
The Chandra observatory had previously found a low-density cavity surrounding the remnant that caused abnormally fast expansion
The new finding explains the expansion halt as a shock wave bouncing back from the cavity's edge, confirmed by IXPE's unique polarimetric capability

DT Editorial Team·Mar 25, 2026·via nasa.gov

XRISM detected the most violent turbulence ever recorded in a galaxy cluster, centered on black hole M87*
The spacecraft can measure gas velocities around black holes for the first time, a capability no previous X-ray telescope possessed
Gas velocities are highest near the black hole and drop off rapidly, driven by turbulent eddies and outflowing shockwaves
The findings explain how black holes regulate cooling in galaxy clusters through active galactic nucleus feedback
Results were published in Nature and represent XRISM's showcase achievement since its 2023 launch

DT Editorial Team·Feb 21, 2026·7 min read·via space.com