Friday, December 21st, 2007

Attack of the Black Hole

This composite image shows the jet from a black hole at the center of a galaxy striking the edge of another galaxy, the first time such an interaction has been found. NASA/CXC/CfA/D.Evans et al.; NASA/STScI; NSF/VLA/CfA/D.Evans et al., STFC

Astronomers have captured an image of a jet of high energy particles leaving a black hole at the center of one galaxy to strike the edge of neighboring galaxy. The "death star" galaxy and its victim make up the system 3C321, found about 1.4 billion light years away in the constellation Serpens (coordinates RA 15h 31m 42.70s | Dec +24º 04' 25.00'')

Black hole jets can produce high levels of radiation, potentially sparking new star formation in their path. We'll find out more.