In 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope collected data from which scientists published the first ever image of a supermassive black hole. But this took two years. Recently Snapshot has been improved with the help of artificial intelligence. Now, researchers have published the first direct image of a black hole that has ejected a powerful relativistic jet. Work on the image began five years ago.

What is known

The image shows a supermassive black hole and a relativistic jet that is close to the speed of light (299,792,458 m/s). The jet connects with matter, which is absorbed by the black hole. This whole process took place in the galaxy M 87.

Previously, scientists were able to take pictures of relativistic jets, but separately from black holes. The new image was made based on data collected in 2018 by the Greenland Telescope, as well as the ALMA and GMVA radio telescopes.

A black hole is at the core of every large galaxy. They not only absorb matter, but can also release powerful jets of matter. The length of the jets can reach several thousand light years. Often, relativistic jets go beyond the boundaries of native galaxies. To better understand their nature, scientists plan to continue to study M 87.

In addition to the jet and the supermassive black hole, its shadow is visible in the image. It represents darkness around a bright ring of golden color. The ring is formed from matter that rotates around the black hole at near-light speeds, causing it to heat up and glow.

Source: THAT