Chandra Release - September 30, 2025

Visual Description: X-arithmetic

This release includes two sets of images featuring galaxy clusters. The first set of five images are traditional composite renderings. The second set of images features the same galaxy clusters rendered with a new image-processing technique called "X-arithmetic". 

 
The traditional composite renderings share many visual similarities with digital photography; the images are relatively crisp, and feature cloud-like objects with blended colors, set against black backgrounds, dotted with distant specks of light. The X-arithmetic images are more visually similar to color MRI scans; they feature pixelated objects with distinct patches of vibrant color, set against neutral black backgrounds.


The first image in the two sets features the galaxy cluster MS 0735. In the composite rendering, a vertical red cloud squiggle with a bright yellow dot in the center, is surrounded by a faint blue haze. In the X-arithmetic rendering, large pockets of yellow are surrounded by irregular hot pink shapes and dappled pockets of blue, which grow more granular near the outer edges.


The second image in the two sets features the Perseus Cluster. The composite rendering resembles the view down a swirling cone of pink cotton candy, with a collection of dark blue filaments at the distant center. In the X-arithmetic rendering, the cluster resembles a corkscrew swirl of neon blue water, dotted with pink flecks, and blobs of golden yellow.


The third image in the sets features the galaxy cluster M87. In the composite rendering, the cluster is presented as ethereal overlapping clouds in purple, red, and white, with a golden orange embryonic shape at the core. The X-arithmetic rendering of the same cluster resembles a faint yellow cloud, digitally spattered with blue and pink pixels.


The fourth pair of images feature the seemingly spherical galaxy cluster Abell 2052. In the composite rendering, the cluster resembles a pink rose in a cloud of powder blue haze. In the X-arithmetic rendering, interwoven pockets of hot pink, neon blue, and golden yellow appear brighter near the center, and somewhat muted near the outer edges.


The fifth and final pair of images feature Cygnus A, a galaxy cluster with jets blasting in opposite directions out of a central black hole. In the composite image, the black hole appears as bright white light, the cluster resembles a neon blue cloud, and the jets exiting the cluster are surrounded by plumes resembling red smoke. In the X-arithmetic rendering, Cygnus A is depicted as a marbled ball of pixelated pockets in neon pink, blue, and golden yellow.