The mystery of an unusual source of X-rays in the galaxy Messier 86

Using data provided by NASA's Chandra spacecraft, astronomers have identified the new extraordinary super-optical X-ray source (ULX) in the elliptical Messier 86 galaxy.

Accordingly, the newly discovered ULX source, named M86 tULX-1 , is located about 62,000 light-years away from the center of the Messier 86.

Messier 86 is an elliptical galaxy but stores at least two different ULX sources.(Image source: Phys).

In particular, the nature of ULX is the source of ultra-optical X-rays with a radiation level of 1 million times the energy that the Sun emits.

Typically, there is only one ULX source in each galaxy, however, there are some exotic galaxies that can store one or more ULX sources in the system, especially spiral galaxies, galaxies that form stars, elliptical galaxies .

Located 52 million light-years away in the Virgo Star Cluster, Messier 86 or M86 (also known as NGC 4406) turns out to be an elliptical galaxy but stores at least two different ULX sources. However, there is only one source called M86 tULX-1 fully studied.

The study showed that the M86 tULX-1 source had X-ray glare reaching approximately 5.0 duodecillion erg / s, the excess X-ray brightness reached 1.9 duodecillion erg / s and the internal temperature was 0.66 keV.

The source is also located about 62,000 light-years northwest of the center of the galaxy.