Chandra Release - January 16, 2024

Visual Description: Wolf 359 

This release features an artist's illustration of the red dwarf star Wolf 359, with a small orbiting planet in the distance. An inset image is included at our lower right.

Wolf 359 occupies much of the illustration. The fiery orange and yellow star fills the lower right corner of the image, extending well beyond the edges of the frame. The star's exterior appears to churn, with white hot flares bursting off the surface. A glowing yellow and orange haze surrounds the star, blanketing white flares and tendrils of hot gas.

In the distance, at our upper left, is an illustration of a small planet set against a black background dotted with faint specks of light. This represents one of two planets that may be in orbit around Wolf 359. Here, the orbiting planet has a blue-grey surface beneath a layer of swirling clouds. The water-like surface and cloudy atmosphere suggest that in this depiction, the planet is in Wolf 359's habitable zone, which may allow life to flourish.

Inset at our lower righthand corner is an X-ray image of Wolf 359. Here, the red dwarf star is a distant lavender dot glowing with purple haze, set against a pitch black background.