Astronomers recorded one of the most impressive examples ever seen in space after observe the presence of a black hole “reborn” after 100 million years of inactivity in a scene compared to the eruption of a “cosmic volcano”.
According to the published study in the scientific journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societythe phenomenon was observed in the center of galaxy J1007+3540.
The images were obtained with two high sensitivity radio telescopes: the LOFAR (Low Frequency Array), in the Netherlands, and the uGMRT (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope), in India.
These rare records are important because they help scientists understand: cwhich alternate between active and silent phases; whow plasma jets evolve over millions of years, and; wHow the environment of a galaxy cluster can shape and distort an entire galaxy.
According to the researchers, the study shows that “the evolution of galaxies is not a calm process, but rather a dispute between the explosive force of black holes and the pressure of the surrounding environment.”
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The team now intends to carry out even more detailed observations to track how the newly reactivated jets spread across this turbulent landscape of space.
The research was led by Kumari and co-authors Dr. Sabyasachi Pal of Midnapore City College, Dr. Surajit Paul, associate professor at the Manipal Center for Natural Sciences in India, and Dr. Marek Jamrozy of the Jagiellonian University in Poland.
“Engine” that turns on and off
Most galaxies are home to supermassive black holes, but only some produce huge jets visible in radio waves. What makes the J1007+3540 special is that it shows clear signs of multiple phases in activity. It is as if the central “engine” has started, stopped and started again several times over silent eons.
Recorded radio images reveal a compact and bright internal jet, which is considered the main sign that the . Around him, scientists identified an ancient plasma “cocoon”which are remnants of past eruptions, now distorted and compressed by the surrounding environment.
It’s like watching a cosmic volcano erupt again after eons of calm
The same images with labels showing the compressed northern lobe, the curved plasma return signature, and the black hole’s inner jet. • LOFAR/Pan-STARRS/S. Kumari et al.
What is the galaxy J1007+3540?
The galaxy J1007+3540 is located inside a galaxy filled with extremely hot gas. This environment creates very intense external pressure, which directly interferes with the way in which the revived jets project externally.
According to the researchers, the , as if the plasma was being pushed sideways. A long tail of faint emission extends to the southwest, indicating that material has been dragged through the cluster’s environment for millions of years.
Furthermore, part of this region has an ultra-steep radio spectrum, which shows that the particles are very old and have already lost much of their energy.
*Under AR supervision.
