NuSTAR

This composite image of galaxy NGC 6946 shows the visible light of stars, with x-ray data (blue and green) over the top. While observing a supernova (blue spot, top right), astronomers spotted a strange new x-ray signal (green blob, lower left) that appeared and disappeared within weeks.

Astronomy

Strange X-ray flash detected in the Fireworks galaxy

In NGC 6946, better known as the Fireworks galaxy, an extremely bright flare of X-rays was seen to appear and disappear within a matter of weeks.

Image of the Andromeda galaxy, highlighting the relative position of the 40 newly-discovered X-ray binaries

Astronomy

NuSTAR observes previously unknown X-ray binaries in the nearby Andromeda galaxy

NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) observatory has discovered 40 previously unknown X-ray binaries in the nearby Andromeda galaxy (M31).

The newly detected radioactive elements of Cas A glow blue in this composite image (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/CXC/SAO)

Astronomy

NuSTAR gives tantalizing hints about how stars go supernova

NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) is unraveling the mystery of how stars go supernova by mapping the remnants of radioactive material left in the wake of a supernova.

Emission of fluorescence x-rays from iron atoms in the accretion disk of a supermassive black hole (Photo: NASA/JPL)

Astronomy

Supermassive black hole found to rotate near speed of light

The NuSTAR x-ray space telescope has allowed the near-light rotation speed of supermassive black holes to be definitively measured for the first time.