Astronomers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory are searching for signs of a recoiling black hole in the core of A2261-BCG, the most massive and brightest galaxy in the giant galaxy cluster Abell 2261.
This image of Abell 2261, a galaxy cluster located 3 billion light-years away, contain X-ray data from Chandra showing hot gas pervading the cluster as well as optical data from Hubble and the Subaru Telescope that show galaxies in the cluster and in the background. A2261-BCG (center), also known as 2MASX J17222717+3207571, is the most massive and brightest galaxy in the cluster. Image credit: NASA / CXC / University of Michigan / K. Gültekin / STScI / NAOJ / Subaru / NSF / NOAO / KPNO.