More Images: The Give and Take of Mega-Flares From Stars
X-ray and Infrared Images of the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and RCW 120
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Penn State/K. Getman, et al; Infrared: NASA/JPL/Spitzer)
Lagoon Nebula
Composite
(Gray/Gold)
Jpeg, Tif
Lagoon Nebula
Composite
Flare Labeled
Jpeg, Tif
Lagoon Nebula
X-ray
Flare Labeled
Jpeg, Tif
RCW 120
Composite
(Gray/Gold)
Jpeg, Tif
These images contain two of the star-forming regions of the largest such survey done to date in X-rays by Chandra. The study outlines the link between very powerful flares, or outbursts, from about 24,000 young stars and the impact they could have on planets in orbit around them. In these images, X-rays from Chandra are shown along with infrared data from Spitzer. The powerful flares observed by Chandra in this research occur in all of the star-forming regions and among young stars of all different masses, including those similar to the Sun. These flares can influence how planets form as well as the presence of any atmospheres they possess.
Return to: The Give and Take of Mega-Flares From Stars
(June 16, 2021)