Scientists get first live image of supermassive black hole that expelled a powerful jet at near-light velocity

In 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope collected data from which scientists published the first ever image of a supermassive black hole. But this one took two years to complete. The image has recently been improved using artificial intelligence. Researchers have now published the first direct image of a black hole that ejected a powerful relativistic jet. Work on the image began five years ago.

Here's What We Know

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

Scientists have previously been able to obtain images of relativistic jets, but separately from black holes. The new image was taken from 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. Not only does it absorb matter, but it can also release powerful jets of matter. Jets can be several thousand light years long. It's not unusual for relativistic jets to extend beyond their home galaxies. To better understand their nature, scientists plan to continue studying M 87.

In addition to the jet and the supermassive black hole, its shadow can be seen in the image. It is a darkness around a bright ring of golden colour. The ring is formed by matter orbiting the black hole at near-light velocity, which causes it to heat up and glow.

Source: ESO