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Chandra X-ray Observatory Discovers Unidentified Object Struck by Black Hole’s Jet
Recent research led by astronomers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has revealed an intriguing phenomenon involving the powerful jet of a giant black hole colliding with an unidentified object. This event took place in the galaxy known as Centaurus A (Cen A), which is located approximately 12 million light-years away from Earth.
Cen A has long been a focal point for study due to its supermassive black hole at its center, which emits spectacular jets of high-energy particles. These jets originate not from within the black hole itself but from the extreme gravitational and magnetic forces present in the surrounding area.
The recent findings shed light on the dynamics of these jets. Researchers utilized the most detailed X-ray imaging of Cen A to discover a V-shaped emission pattern linked to a bright source of X-rays, designated as C4. This newly identified feature occurs along the trajectory of the black hole’s jet, with each arm of the V extending approximately 700 light-years. For perspective, the nearest star to our solar system is about 4 light-years away.
While the team has theories about the nature of this unidentified object being impacted by the black hole’s jet, its exact identity remains elusive. It is postulated that this object could be a massive star or possibly a binary star system. The X-rays detected from C4 might arise from a collision between particles from the jet and gas expelled from the suspected star, creating disturbances that elevate the density of gas and subsequently generate the X-ray emissions observed.
The formation of the V shape presents questions yet to be answered. The lower arm of the V aligns closely with the jet, indicating turbulence consistent with enhanced X-ray output reacting to an obstacle. Conversely, the other arm defies easy explanation, with a significant angle relative to the jet, leaving astronomers to ponder its cause.
This is not the inaugural observation of black hole jets colliding with objects in Cen A; there are prior instances where jets have impacted various celestial bodies, such as massive stars or gas clouds. What differentiates C4 is its distinct V-shape in X-rays compared to previous elliptical formations attributed to other collisions observed in the galaxy. The uniqueness of this feature prompts ongoing investigation into the nature of the interacting objects and the mechanics behind such emissions.
The findings were detailed in a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal. The research team includes prominent scientists from several universities, highlighting a collaborative effort in expanding our understanding of cosmic phenomena.
Read the published study for a comprehensive overview of the results.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center oversees the Chandra program, with operations managed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center.
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This announcement includes various illustrations focusing on the interaction between the black hole’s jet and the unidentified object.
In the primary image, a bright dot indicative of the black hole is surrounded by a purple-blue haze, portraying the outrushing jet of 30,000 light-years in length. The pink hue reflects low-energy X-rays recorded by Chandra, while medium and high-energy X-rays are represented by purple and blue, respectively. The collision point is marked as a distinct pink “V,” suggesting the jets are impacting a hidden object, now referred to as C4.
The significant scale of this event underscores the vast distances involved; while the individual arms of the V shape might seem modest at this cosmic scale, they measure a remarkable length when considering the enormity of the galaxy.
Source
www.nasa.gov