Astronomers spot a mysterious object colliding with supermassive black hole jet in a distant galaxy

Centaurus A, located 12 million light-years away, is home to a supermassive black hole at its centre. (Image: NASA)

Even in the vast darkness of space, collisions happen. Astronomers have spotted a unique interaction between a black hole’s jet and an unidentified object. The finding, made using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, sheds new light on the turbulent dynamics of the galaxy Centaurus A (Cen A).

A Galaxy of Interest
Centaurus A, located 12 million light-years away, is home to a supermassive black hole at its centre. This black hole ejects powerful jets of high-energy particles, driven by intense gravitational and magnetic fields around it. These jets stretch across the galaxy, making Cen A a favourite for astronomical studies.

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Using deep X-ray imaging, scientists discovered a V-shaped X-ray emission, labelled C4, near the jet's path. This feature, connected to a bright X-ray source, is a new finding in Cen A. The arms of the “V” extend for about 700 light-years, a vast distance when compared to the 4 light-years separating Earth from the nearest star.

The Mystery of C4
The object interacting with the jet remains unidentified due to its extreme distance. Researchers suggest it might be a massive star or a binary star system. The collision between the jet's particles and gas from the star’s wind may produce the observed X-rays. The turbulence from the interaction could increase the gas density, igniting the emissions captured by Chandra.

The shape of the “V,” however, adds to the mystery. One arm aligns with the jet’s direction, consistent with turbulence-caused emission. The other arm’s large angle to the jet is harder to explain, leaving astronomers puzzled.

A Unique Collision
Similar jet-object collisions have been observed in Cen A, usually appearing as elliptical blobs in X-rays. The V-shaped feature of C4 sets it apart. This distinctive shape may result from the nature of the object struck or the angle of impact.

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Chandra’s unique capabilities have enabled astronomers to explore these intricate details. Researchers aim to understand why C4 looks so different and what it reveals about interactions in such high-energy environments.

Published Findings
The study, featured in The Astrophysical Journal, was authored by a team of international scientists, including David Bogensberger and Jon M. Miller from the University of Michigan. Their work opens new avenues for studying black hole jets and their impact on cosmic surroundings.