New NASA photos reveal 16 galaxies from across the cosmos in dazzling detail

image via New Scientist

August 27, 2026, 10:00 AM

• •NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory released 16 galaxy images combining its X-ray data with observations from other telescopes.
• •The gallery includes spiral, elliptical and irregular galaxies, illustrating major galaxy categories.
• •One featured spiral galaxy is NGC 4631, known as the “Whale Galaxy” when viewed edge-on.
• •The article says elliptical galaxies generally contain older stars and can grow larger than other galaxy types.
• •Featured interacting systems including Arp 143 and II Zw 096 show mergers and collisions linked to star formation and supermassive black holes.

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has released a set of 16 galaxy images drawn from decades of X-ray observations combined with data from other telescopes. The gallery highlights spiral, elliptical and irregular galaxies, including examples such as NGC 4631, the “Whale Galaxy,” and M104, the “Sombrero Galaxy.” According to the article, these images can help scientists understand the Milky Way’s past and the broader evolution of galaxies over time. The collection also shows systems shaped by collisions and transformations, including galaxy mergers associated with bursts of star formation and supermassive black holes.

Read original article