Astrophysics Branch

Marshall Space Flight Center's Astrophysics Branch uses space and ground-based observatories to peer back to the earliest epochs of the universe, unravel its mysteries, and study the most violent explosions in our galaxy and beyond. Our goal is to help discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for life on planets around other stars.

A growing black hole, called a quasar, is seen at the center of a faraway galaxy in this artist's concept. Astronomers using NASA's Spitzer and Chandra space telescopes discovered swarms of similar quasars hiding in dusty galaxies in the distant universe.

NASA Issues a Press/Image Release “New Stellar Danger to Planets Identified by NASA’s Chandra”

May 26, 2023

Astronomers have determined supernova explosions pose yet another threat to planets and their atmospheres. This result comes from analysis of X-ray observations for over 30 supernovae using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes. For some types of supernovas, the …

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Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer Papers and Presentations

May 25, 2023

On 4/6/23, Nature Astronomy published “Simultaneous space and phase resolved X-ray polarimetry of the Crab pulsar and nebula” by Niccolò Bucciantini et al. On 4/12/23, Nature Astronomy published a related research briefing — “Revealing the magnetic field geometry in the …

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Appointment of C-T Chen to PhysPAG Executive Committee

May 25, 2023

Chien-Ting Chen (USRA/ST12) has been appointed to the Executive Committee of NASA’s Physics of the Cosmos Program Analysis Group (PhysPAG) as part of the X-ray Science Interests Group. Chen joins 13 other scientists from a variety of institutions to serve …

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Chandra’s Steven Ehlert Presents to the Huntsville, Alabama L5 Society (HAL5)

May 25, 2023

Chandra’s Project Scientist, Steven Ehlert (ST12), presented to the Huntsville, Alabama L5 Society (HAL5) on 4/6/23. Featured in his presentation were engaging images of Chandra science discoveries, a brief history of X-ray observatories, and sonification discussions.

NASA’s Latest Image Release Titled “Chandra Determines What Makes a Galaxy’s Wind Blow”

May 25, 2023

The most recent Chandra image release “Chandra Determines What Makes A Galaxy’s Wind Blow” was released on 3/29/23. NGC 253 shows the effect of powerful winds being launched in opposite directions from the center of the galaxy. Although it is …

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