Astronomers Observe Black Hole Ejecting Matter at High Speeds

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking observation of a supermassive black hole, NGC 3783, ejecting matter at speeds reaching 20% the speed of light. This discovery, led by an international team from SRON, was part of a 10-day observation campaign primarily utilizing the XRISM space telescope.

The researchers noted that the ejection of gas, which occurred from a region approximately 50 times the size of the black hole, was likely driven by a sudden change in the magnetic field, a process known as magnetic reconnection.

This phenomenon, similar to solar flares on the Sun, contrasts with previous theories that attributed such ejections to intense radiation or heat. The data showed variations in X-ray brightness during the observation, with a particularly notable outburst lasting three days.

This simultaneous observation involved a collaboration of seven space missions, including XRISM, XMM-Newton, and Hubble, marking a significant moment in understanding the dynamics of black hole behavior and their influence on galactic evolution.

According to Liyi Gu, the lead author of the study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, this event provides a unique opportunity to study the launch mechanism of ultrafast outflows, suggesting a feedback mechanism that may shape the stars and gas around supermassive black holes and influence galaxy formation.