The 'Eye of Sauron'

This composite image, created by combining data from several different telescopes, shows the center of spiral galaxy NGC 4151, dubbed the "Eye of Sauron" by astronomers for its likeness to the malevolent ever-watching eye in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Researchers think X-rays generated by a supermassive black hole produced the blue 'pupil' of the eye. The red around it is made of neutral hydrogen. More at Space.com.

Credits: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/J.Wang et al.; Optical: Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, La Palma/Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope, Radio: NSF/NRAO/VLA

More Articles