Scientists discover mysterious new X-ray objects unlike any seen before

The Chandra observatory found 84 objects of a new type in six galaxies: compact binary systems pulling gas from companion stars, emitting faint X-rays and abundant ultraviolet light. Scientists call them "supersoft X-ray sources"; results published in Nature Astronomy.

• Chandra found 84 objects in six galaxies, including M31 and M101
• Objects emit faint X-rays and strong ultraviolet light
• Scientists believe they are low-level compact binary systems
• No such sources found in our galaxy yet due to interstellar UV absorption