Astronomers Measure Power and Speed of Black Hole Jets for First Time
For the first time, an international research team has successfully measured the instantaneous power and speed of jets erupting from a black hole. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, focused on the Cygnus X-1 system, located 7,200 light-years away. Led by Steve Prabu of the University of Oxford, formerly of Curtin University, the team utilized 18 years of high-resolution radio imaging from a global telescope network. They determined that the jet power is equivalent to 10,000 suns, with speeds reaching approximately 355 million mph, or half the speed of light. By analyzing how stellar winds from the companion blue supergiant star bent the jets, researchers calculated that 10% of the energy released by infalling matter is carried away by these jets. This breakthrough allows for real-time analysis rather than averaging over millennia, offering new insights into how black holes influence galaxy formation through shocks and turbulence. The findings mark a significant advancement in astrophysics, enabling scientists to better understand the dynamic interactions within binary star systems and the broader cosmic impact of black hole activity.
Wire timeline
Astronomers Measure Power and Speed of Black Hole Jets for First Time
For the first time, an international research team has successfully measured the instantaneous power and speed of jets erupting from a black hole. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, focused on the Cygnus X-1 system, located 7,200 light-years away. Led by Steve Prabu of the University of Oxford, formerly of Curtin University, the team utilized 18 years of high-resolution radio imaging from a global telescope network. They determined that the jet power is equivalent to 10,000 suns, with speeds reaching approximately 355 million mph, or half the speed of light. By analyzing how stellar winds from the companion blue supergiant star bent the jets, researchers calculated that 10% of the energy released by infalling matter is carried away by these jets. This breakthrough allows for real-time analysis rather than averaging over millennia, offering new insights into how black holes influence galaxy formation through shocks and turbulence. The findings mark a significant advancement in astrophysics, enabling scientists to better understand the dynamic interactions within binary star systems and the broader cosmic impact of black hole activity.
abcnews