Astronomers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory have made a fascinating discovery in a galaxy called Centaurus A (Cen A), located about 12 million light-years from Earth.
A jet of high-energy particles, launched from a supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s center, appears to have collided with an unknown object, creating a striking and unusual “V-shaped” mark visible in X-ray images.
Centaurus A has long been a favorite target for scientists because of its massive black hole, which sends out powerful jets of particles.
These jets are launched not from inside the black hole itself, but from the intense gravitational and magnetic forces around it.
In this study, the researchers used the deepest X-ray image ever captured of Cen A to explore these jets in greater detail.
One key finding was a bright source of X-rays, dubbed “C4,” located near the path of the jet.
Around this source, a V-shaped structure appeared, with each arm of the “V” stretching about 700 light-years—a massive size compared to the distance between Earth and the nearest star, which is just 4 light-years.
The identity of the object causing this disturbance remains a mystery, as it is too far away to see in detail, even with the most advanced telescopes. However, astronomers have some ideas.
One possibility is that the jet struck a massive star or a star system with a companion star.
The collision between the high-energy particles in the jet and gas from the star’s wind could have created turbulence, causing the gas density to increase. This could ignite the X-ray emission detected by Chandra.
The shape of the “V” adds another layer of intrigue. The stream of X-rays in the bottom arm of the “V” runs roughly parallel to the jet, suggesting that turbulence behind the obstacle could be enhancing the X-ray glow.
But the upper arm of the “V,” which extends at a sharp angle to the jet, is harder to explain, and astronomers are still working to understand its origin.
This is not the first time scientists have observed a black hole jet colliding with other objects in Centaurus A. Previous observations have shown jets striking stars or gas clouds, producing elliptical blobs in X-ray images.
However, C4 stands out because of its distinct V-shape, which has not been seen before.
Chandra is currently the only X-ray observatory capable of detecting such fine details. Scientists hope to uncover why C4 looks so different compared to other collisions in the jet’s path. The difference might depend on the type of object the jet is hitting or the angle of the collision.
Astronomers are continuing to study the mysterious object and its unusual X-ray emission to learn more. Understanding these interactions could help scientists uncover new details about black hole jets, their immense energy, and how they affect the galaxies they inhabit.
This discovery, published in The Astrophysical Journal, adds another exciting chapter to our understanding of the universe and the powerful forces at play around black holes.
Source: NASA.
