Astronomers using the Chandra X-ray Observatory have detected an unusual mark left by collision between an “unidentified object” and a powerful cosmic jet, NASA has revealed.
The discovery was made during observations of a galaxy 12 million light-years from Earth called Centaurus A, an ongoing subject of investigation by astronomers due to the massive black hole at its center.
The galaxy’s black hole produces extremely strong jets of high-energy particles, a byproduct of the powerful gravitational fields and magnetic envelope surrounding Centaurus A.
Now, data obtained by the Chandra X-ray Observatory reveals that the supermassive black hole’s powerful jet was involved in a cosmic collision that led to it “striking an unidentified object in its path,” the space agency reported on Tuesday.
Imagery obtained by Chandra revealed X-rays ranging from pink to purple and blue, representing energy levels from those lowest to highest detectable, in what NASA characterizes as the deepest X-ray images ever obtained of Centaurus A.
Portions of the jet produced by the galaxy’s black hole are believed to be moving at a rate approaching light speed, revealing a V-shaped patch of emission associated with a previously undetected luminous source of X-rays astronomers have dubbed C4.
Centaurus A, C4’s X-rays and a “Mystery Object”
C4 is…more
Source thedebrief.org
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