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NASA Reveals Origin of Cosmic Treble Clef

Updated 4:11 PM ET · 1:12 PM ETConfirmed

Science Desk

In Short: Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Germany's eROSITA X-ray telescope have discovered the origin of a cosmic radio wave structure resembling a treble clef.

Astronomers have discovered the origin of a cosmic radio wave structure resembling a treble clef, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Germany's eROSITA X-ray telescope.

The structure, nicknamed the 'Treble Clef,' lies almost directly behind the plane of the Milky Way, making it difficult to observe due to the obstruction from stars, gas, and dust.

NASA said the resemblance to a treble clef is a case of pareidolia, the phenomenon where people see familiar shapes in random data.

Researchers concluded that the Treble Clef likely formed in a two-stage process: an outburst from a supermassive black hole followed by a collision of two galaxy clusters.

The new composite image of the Treble Clef and its cluster shows the multimillion-degree gas detected in X-rays by Chandra and eROSITA in blue.

The paper describing the findings, led by Andrea Botteon of the National Institute for Astrophysics in Italy, was published on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal.

The structure's shape is not naturally ordained but a mere coincidence, according to NASA.

The Treble Clef nickname was chosen because the radio source has a distinct shape resembling the musical symbol.

The discovery highlights the importance of using multiple telescopes to investigate complex cosmic phenomena.

The research team used a special technique to highlight important features in the Chandra data, aiding in the investigation.

The Treble Clef structure is a fascinating example of how cosmic phenomena can mimic familiar shapes, leading to intriguing discoveries.

Background

What's confirmed

• The researchers discovered the Treble Clef is likely caused by an outburst from a supermassive black hole, followed by a collision of two galaxy clusters.
• Cosmic radio waves in a shape similar to Prince's famous name symbol have been called a space "Treble Clef" by astronomers.
• NASA said: "An explanation for the Treble Clef has been particularly difficult to find because the formation lies almost directly behind the plane of the Milky Way, meaning that stars, gas, and dust from our home galaxy largely block the view from Earth."
• Researchers have used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to investigate the cause of the "remarkable formation." NASA said the scientists chose the "Treble Clef" nickname because the radio source has a distinct shape resembling the musical symbol.
• NASA said the resemblance to a treble clef is a case of pareidolia, the phenomenon when people see familiar shapes in random data, since there is no scientific connection to the musical notation.
• NASA's Chandra and the German Extended RÖntgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array (eROSITA) X-ray telescope found diffuse, hot gas at the location of the Treble Clef, showing that a galaxy cluster hosts the object.
• Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Astronomers have used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to break down the cause of a remarkable formation of radio waves they have nicknamed the "Treble Clef" because its distinct shape strongly resembles the musical symbol.
• This new composite image of the Treble Clef and its cluster shows the multimillion-degree gas detected in X-rays by Chandra and eROSITA in blue, with some of the Chandra data derived from a special technique the authors used to highlight important features in the Chandra data.
• Observations from Chandra and Germany’s eROSITA X-ray telescope revealed vast quantities of superheated gas, confirming the presence of a galaxy cluster.
• Nicknamed the “Treble Clef”, the formation was difficult to investigate because it lies almost directly behind the Milky Way’s disc, where stars, gas and dust obstruct observations.
• The resemblance to a treble clef is an example of pareidolia, the tendency to recognise familiar patterns in otherwise unrelated shapes.
• Astronomers have traced the origins of an unusual radio structure resembling a musical treble clef to an ancient black hole outburst and the collision of two galaxy clusters, using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes.

What's still developing

• The director was seen carrying two symbolic elements from Sinners : a blues guitar and a treble clef braided into his hair.
• In addition to Major Dill, Kevin Grant, Willie Ferguson, Shervin Hendrickson and Darlin Young are involved in Operation Treble Clef.
• Operation Treble Clef welcomes help from all community partners.
• G Clef Bridge, designed by Chengdu ZZHK Architects, Sichuan Guangde Architectural Design, and Sichuan Architectural Design and Research Institute embodies the core elements of the music-themed tourist area, revolving around the “Melody of Water” theme to create a unique bridge design, located in the Bailu Music Tourist Area in Chengdu, China.
• The commonly observed structural core of a treble clef zinc finger fold and its circular permutations. ( A ) Ribbon diagram of the tertiary structure of a TC ZF (PDBid 2DAS_A). ( B ) Linear arrangement of the core SSEs of a classical TC and its circular permutations.
• Scientific Reports volume 6, Article number: 32070 ( 2016 ) Cite this article Treble clef (TC) zinc fingers constitute a large fold-group of structural zinc-binding protein domains that mediate numerous cellular functions.
• After the tour, nearly 9 in 10 said they did.
• An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
• G Clef Bridge spans the Bailu River, connecting the French-style Bailu Music Town on the east bank with the modern, metallic Diamond Music Hall on the west bank.
• SSE winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 15 mph.
• Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight.
• Rain early with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon.

Sources

• Global Design Newslink
• Iosco County News Heraldlink
• Key Biscayne Portallink
• NASAlink
• Naturelink
• Phys.orglink
• Princeton Clarionlink
• Starlust.orglink
• The Conway Daily Sunlink
• The Daily Gazettelink
• The Elkhart Truthlink
• The Mountain Presslink
• Tioga Publishinglink
• deltanews.tvlink
• swiowanewssource.comlink
• Cinemaexpresslink
• Cosmic Files — video link