Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery by producing an image that captures both the accretion structure and the powerful relativistic jet of the black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy. This unprecedented image was generated using the Global Millimeter VLBI Array (GMVA), along with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Greenland Telescope (GLT), providing a panoramic view of the black hole and its jet at a new wavelength.
The image reveals a larger and thicker ring-like structure surrounding the black hole, indicating that material falling into the black hole generates an observable emission. This observation confirms the connection between the accretion flow near the black hole and the origin of the jet.
Dr. Rusen Lu from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences led the international team of scientists in this study. The image was obtained from the central black hole of the radio galaxy Messier 87 and was recently published in the journal Nature.
Previously, scientists had only seen separate images of the black hole and the jet. However, this new panoramic image provides a complete view of both at a new wavelength. The addition of ALMA and GLT to the GMVA observations greatly enhanced the imaging capabilities, allowing for the visualization of the ring-like structure in M87 for the first time at the 3.5 mm wavelength.
The diameter of the ring measured by the GMVA is 64 microarcseconds, which is 50 percent larger than what was observed by the Event Horizon Telescope at 1.3 mm. This larger and thicker ring suggests that the material falling into the black hole produces additional emission, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the physical processes near the black hole.
The observations also revealed surprising findings. The radiation from the inner region close to the black hole was broader than expected, indicating the presence of a wind blowing out from the black hole. This wind causes turbulence and chaos around the black hole, adding to the complexity of its behavior.
The study of Messier 87 is far from over, as further observations and the use of powerful telescopes will continue to unlock its secrets. Future observations at millimeter wavelengths will provide a polychromatic view of the black hole, allowing for a deeper understanding of its time evolution and multiple color images in radio light.
This breakthrough in capturing the accretion structure and jet of a black hole provides valuable insights into the nature and behavior of these enigmatic cosmic objects. The image not only confirms existing theories but also opens up new avenues for exploration and understanding of black holes.Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of astronomy, producing an image that captures both the accretion structure and the powerful relativistic jet of the black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy. This unprecedented image was generated using the Global Millimeter VLBI Array (GMVA), along with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Greenland Telescope (GLT), providing a panoramic view of the black hole and its jet at a new wavelength.
Led by Dr. Rusen Lu from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, an international team of scientists published their findings in the journal Nature. The image reveals a larger, thicker ring-like structure surrounding the black hole, indicating that material falling into the black hole generates observable emission.
Previously, scientists had only been able to observe the black hole and the jet separately. However, this new image provides a comprehensive view of both phenomena at a new wavelength. The addition of ALMA and GLT to the GMVA observations greatly enhanced the imaging capabilities, allowing for the visualization of the ring-like structure in M87 for the first time at the 3.5 mm wavelength.
The diameter of the ring measured by the GMVA is 64 microarcseconds, which is equivalent to the size of a small selfie ring light on Earth as seen by an astronaut on the Moon. This diameter is 50 percent larger than what was observed by the Event Horizon Telescope at 1.3 mm, confirming expectations for the emission from relativistic plasma in this region.
The image also provides insights into the nature of the black hole itself. The observations at a wavelength of 3.5 mm reveal more details about the location and energy of highly energetic electrons and magnetic fields, which produce the synchrotron radiation that generates the light from Messier 87. The observations suggest that the black hole consumes matter at a low rate, converting only a small fraction of it into radiation.
The study also uncovered a surprising finding. The radiation from the inner region close to the black hole is broader than expected, indicating the presence of a wind blowing out from the black hole. This wind causes turbulence and chaos around the black hole, adding to our understanding of the physical processes in this region.
The breakthrough in imaging capabilities and the new insights gained from this study open up new avenues for further research on black holes. Future observations at millimeter wavelengths will continue to study the time evolution of the Messier 87 black hole and provide a polychromatic view with multiple color images in radio light.
This discovery marks a significant milestone in our understanding of black holes and their associated phenomena. The image produced by the GMVA, ALMA, and GLT provides a panoramic view of the accretion structure and jet of the black hole in Messier 87, shedding light on the physical processes occurring near these enigmatic cosmic objects.
What is the significance of the larger diameter observed by the GMVA in M87’s ring structure compared to the Event Horizon Telescope’s measurements? How does this contribute to our understanding of the processes near the black hole?
He ring-like structure in M87 for the first time at the 3.5 mm wavelength.
The diameter of the ring measured by the GMVA is 64 microarcseconds, which is 50 percent larger than what was observed by the Event Horizon Telescope at 1.3 mm. This suggests that the material falling into the black hole produces additional emission, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the processes near the black hole.
The observations also revealed unexpected findings. The radiation from the inner region close to the black hole was broader than expected, indicating the presence of a wind blowing out from the black hole. This wind adds to the complexity of the black hole’s behavior.
The study of Messier 87 is ongoing, and further observations and the use of powerful telescopes will continue to uncover its secrets. Future observations at millimeter wavelengths will provide a deeper understanding of the black hole’s time evolution and multiple color images in radio light.
This breakthrough in capturing the accretion structure and jet of a black hole provides valuable insights into the nature and behavior of these cosmic objects. The image not only confirms existing theories but also paves the way for further exploration and understanding of black holes.
“Mind-blowing! This unprecedented image of Messier 87 Galaxy’s supermassive black hole unveils a mesmerizing accretion structure and the powerful jet it emits. A groundbreaking discovery pushing the frontiers of astrophysics!”
This groundbreaking image of the supermassive black hole in the Messier 87 galaxy unveils valuable insights into its accretion structure and powerful jet. A remarkable achievement for astronomical research!