Chandra Release - December 18, 2012

Visual Description: PKS 0745

 This composite image of a galaxy in a galaxy cluster showcases PKS 0745-19. This image is dominated by rich purple and gold colors, with bright galaxies and stars shining around the object. The object appears to have a cloudy, irregular, almost football shape. This large elliptical galaxy is in the center of the galaxy cluster PKS 0745-19, which is located about 1.3 billion light years from Earth. X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory are shown in the purple color, and optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope are in gold.  Hot gas produces the diffuse X-ray emission seen in the image. Outbursts powered by the central black holes create cavities in the gas -- mouse-over for their location -- preventing it from cooling and forming enormous numbers of stars.