Latest news with #ChandraX-rayObservatory
Saba Yemen
6 days ago
- Science
- Saba Yemen
Astronomers Detect unique cosmic structure like no other
Washington – SABA: For the first time, astronomers have detected a massive cloud of energetic subatomic particles enveloping a giant galaxy cluster known as 'PLCK G287.0+32.9.' Galaxy clusters are among the largest known structures in the observable universe—vast gatherings of galaxies held together by gravity. This particular discovery has revealed a cloud spanning about 20 million light-years, nearly 200 times the diameter of our Milky Way galaxy. According to Al Jazeera Net, which reported on Monday, the findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal. The galaxy cluster lies about 5 billion light-years from Earth, and it was initially discovered in 2011 using a combination of terrestrial and space-based observatories. The new study, led by researchers from the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University, was unveiled during a press conference at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Anchorage, Alaska. The discovery relied on X-ray data collected by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, appearing in the new imagery as blue and violet hues. Additional data came from the MeerKAT Radio Telescope in South Africa—one of the world's most powerful radio observatories—which provided the orange and yellow tones. Furthermore, visible light data was obtained using the Pan-STARRS telescope located atop Mount Haleakalā on the Hawaiian island of Maui, known for its clear and high-altitude skies. This exceptional cloud appears to be powered in an unusual way—through giant shockwaves and gas turbulence within the cluster. Unlike typical galaxy clusters, where such emissions are found mostly around the edges, this cloud completely envelops the entire cluster. These findings raise intriguing questions about the nature of such clouds and offer new insights into long-standing mysteries—such as: How do electrons in these clouds maintain their energy across such vast distances and time scales? This discovery marks a significant step forward in understanding cosmic structures and the energetic environments that shape our universe. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Monster black hole jet from the early universe is basking in the 'afterglow' of the Big Bang
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astronomers have captured a ghostly image of an ancient supermassive black hole shooting a giant energy jet into the early universe. The ethereal structure is only visible thanks to the "afterglow" of the Big Bang and a crucial NASA space telescope that could soon be prematurely switched off forever. The striking image shows the light of quasar J1610+1811, shining from around 11.6 billion light-years from Earth, during the "cosmic noon" — a period of the universe between 2 billion and 3 billion years after the Big Bang. Quasars are supermassive black holes that shoot out giant, lightsaber-like beams of energy perpendicular to their swirling accretion disks. However, until now, researchers have not had a proper look at J1610+1811's energy jet, despite discovering the object back in 2018. The new image was captured with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, which is fine-tuned to hunt some of the most powerful wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. The research was uploaded to the preprint server arXiv on April 13 and has been accepted for future publication in The Astrophysical Journal. The researchers also presented their findings at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, held between June 8 and 12 in Anchorage, Alaska. Using the new image as a guideline, the team calculated that the quasar's jet is more than 300,000 light-years long, which is around three times wider than the Milky Way. High-energy particles within the jet are also likely shooting from the black hole at between 92% and 98% the speed of light. "The jet from J1610+1811 is remarkably powerful, carrying roughly half as much energy as the intense light from hot gas orbiting the black hole," which is among the fastest and hottest matter in the universe, NASA representatives wrote in a statement. Related: Behold the first direct image of a supermassive black hole spewing a jet of particles Despite their immense power, jets like J1610+1811's are hard to detect because they are often pointed away from Earth, which makes them appear much dimmer thanks to special relativity. However, Chandra could see this jet because it is "being illuminated by the leftover glow from the Big Bang itself," NASA representatives wrote. This afterglow is the cosmic microwave background (CMB), leftover radiation from just after the cosmos-birthing explosion that permeates the entire universe. During cosmic noon, the CMB was much more dense than the version we can currently detect from Earth, which is what creates the static heard on radios and seen on old televisions. As electrons from the black hole's jets shoot toward Earth, they collide with photons within the CMB and accelerate these light particles to become X-rays, which can be spotted by Chandra. Without the high density of the CMB during this period, the quasar would not have shone in X-ray light and the image would not have been possible. During the study, the researchers captured less-detailed images of another quasar, J1405+0415, which is also shining at us from the cosmic noon. The new findings could help shed light on why quasars and other supermassive black holes grew faster and larger during this period than at any other point in the universe's history. Chandra was launched in July 1999 and has since revolutionized X-ray astronomy. Today, it is still making new discoveries, including a fracture in a "cosmic bone" and never-before-seen types of pulsars. However, despite having an estimated 10 years of operational lifespan remaining, the space telescope's future is in doubt, due to some NASA funding problems in 2024 and the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts for 2026, which would be the largest in the agency's history. If the latest cuts are approved, Chandra will likely be switched off permanently. The loss of Chandra would be equivalent to an "extinction-level event" for X-ray astronomy in the United States, according to the website RELATED STORIES —Biggest black hole jets ever seen are as long as 140 Milky Ways —Scientists make lab-grown black hole jets —'Very rare' black hole energy jet discovered tearing through a spiral galaxy shaped like our own "I'm horrified by the prospect of Chandra being shut down prematurely," Andrew Fabian, an X-ray astronomer at the University of Cambridge, told Science magazine in 2024. "If you start doing deep cuts so abruptly, you will lose a whole generation [of X-ray astronomers]," Elisa Costantini, an astronomer at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research, added in an interview with Science. It will leave "a hole in our knowledge" of high-energy astrophysics, she said.
Hans India
12-06-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Nasa's Chandra detects powerful black hole jet during universe's 'cosmic noon'
In a remarkable cosmic discovery, NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected a surprisingly powerful jet emerging from a supermassive black hole located 11.6 billion light-years from Earth. This black hole existed during "cosmic noon"—a period roughly three billion years after the Big Bang, when galaxies and black holes grew at record rates. Working alongside the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), astronomers captured X-ray and radio data that reveal the jet's extraordinary reach—over 300,000 light-years—and the extreme speeds of the particles within it, approaching 99% the speed of light. The black hole's jet became visible because it collided with the dense sea of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation—the ancient light left over from the Big Bang. These high-speed electrons boosted CMB photons into the X-ray range, enabling Chandra to detect them despite the vast distance. Two black holes, designated J1405+0415 and J1610+1811, were confirmed to have jets traveling at relativistic speeds. Remarkably, the jet from J1610+1811 carries nearly half as much energy as the light from gas orbiting the black hole, highlighting its immense power. Because of special relativity, jets moving toward Earth appear brighter, creating a detection bias. The research team overcame this challenge by developing a novel statistical model that factors in these relativistic effects. Through thousands of simulations, they estimated the jets' viewing angles—approximately 9° and 11° from Earth's line of sight. These findings were presented by lead researcher Jaya Maithil of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Anchorage, Alaska. The results will be published in The Astrophysical Journal, with a preprint already available online. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra program, with science operations led from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Chandra X-ray Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA's Chandra detects record-breaking black hole jet from the early universe
NASA 's Chandra X-ray Observatory has detected one of the most powerful black hole jets ever observed. The jets were emanating from a galaxy 11.6 billion light-years away from the earth. This jet is formed during the universe's " cosmic noon " which is a period about three billion years after the Big Bang. At that time, galaxies were rapidly evolving. Black hole jet has astonished astronomers with its immense energy and speed. It is illuminated by the dense cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation of the early universe and provides unprecedented insights into black hole behaviour and galactic development during the universe's most dynamic phase. What is a black hole jet according to NASA A black hole jet is a powerful stream of particles and energy releasing from the regions around a supermassive black hole. Most of the black holes themselves do not emit anything, the intense gravitational forces around them cause surrounding matter to form a spinning accretion disk. As this material heats up and interacts with magnetic fields, some of it is funnelled away from the poles of the black hole at near-light speeds which creates narrow and focused jets. These jets can extend for hundreds of thousands of light-years and are capable of influencing the evolution of entire galaxies by dispersing energy and matter across vast cosmic galaxies. NASA's Chandra captured black hole over 300,000 light years away Astronomers focused on two supermassive black holes , one is J1405+0415 and another is J1610+1811 Each of them is releasing jets stretching over 300,000 light-years. These black holes existed when the universe was just a quarter of its current age. The powerful jets were spotted thanks to Chandra's ability to detect X-rays produced when electrons in the jets collided with the dense CMB photons, boosting them into the X-ray range. Jet particle travelling with speed of light Analysis revealed that particles in the jets were traveling at astonishing speeds between 92% and 99% the speed of light. The jet from J1610+1811 carries about half as much energy as the intense radiation from gas orbiting the black hole, making it one of the most energetic jets ever recorded at such distances. The angle of viewing is a major factor in capturing jets Understanding a jet's true nature depends heavily on its angle relative to Earth. Jets aimed toward us appear brighter due to relativistic effects. To overcome this bias, researchers developed a new statistical method that factored in the overrepresentation of such jets in our observations. Through 10,000 simulations, they estimated the viewing angles to be about 9 degrees for J1405+0415 and 11 degrees for J1610+1811. What are the implications for cosmic evolution This discovery gives astronomers vital clues about the growth and influence of black holes during the universe's peak period of star and galaxy formation. The interaction of these jets with their environment likely shaped early galaxy evolution and helps scientists better understand how energy was distributed across vast cosmic distances. Presented and published These findings were presented by lead researcher Jaya Maithil of the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Anchorage, Alaska. The full study will be published in The Astrophysical Journal. A preprint already available online.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Black Hole With Powerful Jet Illuminated By Universe's 'Oldest Light' Spotted
Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and Karl G Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), astronomers have spotted a powerful jet from a black hole situated in the distant universe that is being illuminated by the leftover glow from the Big Bang -- the oldest light in the universe. Researchers observed the black hole and its jet at a period they call "cosmic noon," which occurred about three billion years after the universe began. The black hole is located 11.6 billion light-years from Earth, when the cosmic microwave background (CMB) was much denser than it is now. During this time, most galaxies and supermassive black holes were growing faster than at any other time during the history of the universe. "As the electrons in the jets fly away from the black hole, they move through the sea of CMB radiation and collide with microwave photons," NASA stated, adding: "These collisions boost the energy of the photons up into the X-ray band, allowing them to be detected by Chandra even at this great distance, which is shown in the inset." The jets extending from these black holes can extend millions of light-years in length. They are exceedingly bright because when particles approach the speed of light, they give off a tremendous amount of energy and behave in weird ways that Albert Einstein predicted. Two other black holes Additionally, the researchers confirmed the existence of two different black holes with jets over 300,000 light-years long. Situated 11.6 billion and 11.7 billion light-years away, particles in one jet are moving at between 95 per cent and 99 per cent of the speed of light (called J1405+0415) and the other at between 92 per cent and 98 per cent of the speed of light (J1610+1811). In January, scientists stumbled upon a supermassive black hole, located a whopping 12.9 billion light-years from Earth, with its jet pointing straight at us. Named J0410-0139, the black hole has a mass of about 700 million Suns and is one of the oldest of its kind that scientists have ever observed. When one of these jets points directly at Earth, scientists call the black hole system a blazar. Notably, a jet racing at near-light speed but angled away from us can appear just as bright as a slower jet pointed directly at Earth.
