X-ray and Optical Images of Sagittarius A* / Galactic Center

These images show X-ray data of the area around the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Data from NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has provided evidence that this black hole — known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) — had an outburst about 200 years ago after devouring gas and dust within its reach. The IXPE data are shown with X-ray data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Additionally a wider field-of-view of the center of the Milky Way from Chandra is provided. Learn More: https://www.nasa.gov/missions/ixpe/milky-ways-central-black-hole-woke-up-200-years-ago-nasas-ixpe-finds/