SCIENCE
The new image published in the journal Nature shows precisely for the first time: how the base of a jet connects with the matter swirling around a supermassive black hole.
For the first time, astronomers have detected an image of a powerful jet exploding from a black hole.
The observations of the black hole at the centre of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87) could help reveal how black holes can launch such energetic jets -- among the brightest objects in the universe.
"We know that jets are ejected from the region surrounding black holes, but we still do not fully understand how this actually happens," said Ru-Sen Lu from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory in China.
"To study this directly we need to observe the origin of the jet as close as possible to the black hole," Lu said.
Most galaxies harbour a supermassive black hole at their centre. While black holes are known for engulfing matter in their immediate vicinity, they can also launch powerful jets of matter that extend beyond the galaxies that they live in. Understanding how black holes create such enormous jets has been a long standing problem in astronomy.
The new image published in the journal Nature shows precisely for the first time: how the base of a jet connects with the matter swirling around a supermassive black hole.
The target is the galaxy M87, located 55 million light-years away, and home to a black hole 6.5 billion times more massive than the Sun.
Previous observations had managed to separately image the region close to the black hole and the jet, but this is the first time both features have been observed together.
"This new image completes the picture by showing the region around the black hole and the jet at the same time," said Jae-Young Kim from the Kyungpook National University in South Korea and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany.
The image was obtained in 2018 with the Global Millimetre VLBI Array (GMVA), the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA), and the Greenland Telescope (GLT), forming a network of radio-telescopes around the globe working together as a virtual Earth-sized telescope.
Every home of THIS town owns a private jet, has unique street names, it is located in...
'Delight to meet Elon Musk's family...': PM Modi after call-on by Tesla CEO accompanied by his kids
Meet IAS officer, who cleared UPSC exam after getting inspired by Virat Kohli, her AIR was...
Happy Valentine's Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, images, quotes to share with your partner
DNA TV Show: World Records in Mahakumbh 2025
Vidya Balan enjoys Sanam Teri Kasam in theatre, pens special note for team: 'Mawra aap kamaal ho'
Meet woman who owns Delhi's most expensive home worth Rs..., not Nita Ambani, Priti Adani
Samay Raina to perform in Mumbai on March 27 amid India's Got Latent controversy
Little girl's adorable dance to 'Khadke Glassy' wins hearts online, WATCH viral video
'Whole India in one coach’: Viral video shows chaos in first-class train to Mahakumbh, WATCH
Chhaava Movie Review: A groundbreaking epic that redefines the blockbuster experience
Gautam Adani pulls out of BIG Rs 8684 crore power project in THIS country due to...
Group of musicians perform iconic theme of 'Tom & Jerry' but here's a twist! WATCH viral video
ICC punishes Shaheen Afridi, two Pakistan stars for doing THIS vs South Africa
President's Rule imposed in Manipur days after N Biren Singh resigns as CM
Ramadan 2025: When will the holy month of Muslims begin in India? Know all details
Good news for India's richest banker, RBI lifts ban on his Rs 392000 crore company, allows it to...
WPL 2025 Opening Ceremony: Performers list, date, time, venue, live streaming - All you need to know
Meet man, aka coolest grandpa, who still works as actor and model at 89, he is from...
Meet IAS officer, who cracked UPSC exam in 2009, now promoted to key post in GOI as...
Honda, Nissan call off Rs 521825 crore merger, the reason is…
Valentine's Day 2025: Why do we celebrate this day? Know here
Ne Zha 2: Everything you need to know about the Chinese animated blockbuster
How I Can Make Your Child into an Ivy Leaguer: A Parent’s Guide to Success with Caroline Linger
Meet China’s newest billionaire, who runs bubble tea business, his net worth is Rs...
Top Government Schemes for Farmers, Artisans, and Students You Should Not Miss!
Why did RCB chose Rajat Patidar as captain over Virat Kohli? Team director Mo Bobat explains
Valentine’s Day 2025: Perfect last-minute gifts ideas for your partner
Man who saved Rishabh Pant's life in 2022 car accident, attempts suicide with girlfriend, she dies
FASTag New rule: All you need to know to avoid extra charges from February 17
Throwback: How did Rohit Sharma propose to Ritika Sajdeh? WATCH viral video
Did Ram Charan unfollow Allu Arjun after his father took a dig at Game Changer? Here's what we know
Who Are The Top 5 Most Influential Astrologers In India In 2025?
Delhi-NCR schools holiday: Are Delhi, Gurugram, Noida schools closed on Feb 14? Check here
THESE cricketers unfollowed Ranveer Allahbadia on social media amid India's Got Latent controversy?
‘Broke in 50 days’: Accenture employee-investor loses Rs 8 lakh in a day, his net worth is Rs…
Microsoft inaugurates new campus in THIS Indian city, plans to hire...
Shah Rukh Khan once bought laptop for Aamir Khan but he did not open it for...years because...
New Income Tax Bill 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables the new income tax bill in Lok Sabha
Emirates flight attendant's BTS video sparks firing rumours, airline responds, see post here
Anupam Mittal asks Namita Thapar to quit Shark Tank India because...: 'If you're...'
Meet comedian who was slapped, kicked out of film set by...; his net worth is now...
Top 3 iconic cricket rivalries
Couple recreates dance with same friend squad for sangeet after 10 years, watch viral video
Meet actor who served during Kargil War, put his career on hold for..., he is...
RCB captain announcement LIVE Updates: Rajat Patidar to lead team in IPL 2025
Ranveer Allahbadia cries in viral video over..., the truth behind it will shock you
Meet actress who is queen of Rs 500 cr club, set to enter again with..., she is...
Rohit Shetty teases 'biggest love story of 2025' feat Ranveer Singh and.., fans react
Hajj 2025: You can't take your children to Hajj this year due to...
Aly Goni supports Samay Raina because..., says he was forced to...
Students' farewell dance on SRK's 'Aankhein Khuli' steals the show, watch viral video
World’s longest railway station has 44 platforms, 67 tracks, has secret platform, located in…
New Income Tax Bill likely to be introduced in parliament today; here's what to expect
Meet IIT-JEE topper with 300 marks in JEE Mains Session 1 Result 2025, advices students not to...
Rozlyn Khan files defamation case against Ankita Lokhande: 'A woman who could use...'
PM Modi US visit: PM Modi arrives at Blair House, greets members of Indian diaspora
Meet son of billionaire whose net worth is Rs 77,280 crore, leads business empire in Australia as...