A false-color image composite showcasing NGC 253, a starburst galaxy 8 million light-years away. The main image shows an optical view of the galaxy's spiral structure, while an inset highlights Chandra X-ray Observatory data revealing the presence of hot gas clouds and at least four luminous X-ray sources near the galaxy's core – possibly intermediate-mass black holes. These findings suggest a potential evolution into a single, supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center, eventually forming a quasar.
Astronomy Picture from 07/06/2001
NGC 253: X-Ray Zoom
Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap010607.html
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