Chandra Release - April 10, 2019

Visual Description: M87

This image presents Chandra X-ray Observatory data of the galaxy M87, revealing the surroundings of its supermassive black hole in vivid shades of orange and yellow. The main, wide-field view shows an energetic jet of high-energy particles streaming outward from the galaxy's bright central core, extending diagonally across the frame. The surrounding diffuse glow represents hot gas heated by powerful outflows from the black hole. In the inset, a close-up view highlights the region immediately around the black hole, marked by a concentrated point of intense brightness at the core, with the jet emerging clearly to the upper right. The blue cross in the inset indicates the location of the black hole's close-up as captured by the Event Horizon Telescope.