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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Мощный джет из M87 http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1201445/eng |
Credit & Copyright: X-ray:
H. Marshall (MIT), et al.,
CXC,
NASA
Radio: F. Zhou, F. Owen (NRAO), J. Biretta (STScI)
Optical: E. Perlman (UMBC), et al., STScI, NASA
Explanation:
An
energetic jet from the core of
giant elliptical galaxy M87 stretches outward for 5,000 light-years.
This monstrous jet
appears
in the panels above
to be a knotted and irregular structure, detected
across the spectrum, from
x-ray to optical to
radio wavelengths.
In all these bands,
the observed emission is likely created as high energy
electrons spiral along magnetic field lines, so called
synchrotron radiation.
But what powers this cosmic blowtorch?
Ultimately, the jet is thought to be produced
as matter near the center of M87
swirls toward a spinning, supermassive black hole.
Strong electromagnetic forces are generated and eject material
away from
the black hole along
the axis of rotation in a narrow jet.
Galaxy M87
is about 50 million light-years away and reigns as
the large central elliptical galaxy in the
Virgo
cluster.
Radio: F. Zhou, F. Owen (NRAO), J. Biretta (STScI)
Optical: E. Perlman (UMBC), et al., STScI, NASA
News: The answer to
Lewin's Challenge APOD can be found
here.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.