<p>An artist’s impression of Mrk 335, a supermassive black hole that produces X-ray flares. <a href="http://www.ap.smu.ca/~drw/docs/publications/mrk335_flare_paper.pdf">A recent study</a> suggests that it flashes because of the collapse of its corona, a shroud of high-energy particles that surrounds black holes.</p>
In a Flash
An artist’s impression of Mrk 335, a supermassive black hole that produces X-ray flares. A recent study suggests that it flashes because of the collapse of its corona, a shroud of high-energy particles that surrounds black holes.
- Week's Best Space Pictures
Week's Best Space Pictures: Stars Kiss and Black Holes Flash
Alaska glitters in ice and early galaxies glow.
Feed your need for heavenly views of the universe with our pick of the most awe-inspiring space pictures. This week, a snake of plasma slithers across the Sun, NASA scientists prep for the cold, and the early universe’s chemistry gets a close-up.
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