The fundamental principle of our Universe is stating that there is nothing that can move faster than the speed of light. However, a unique event has caught the attention of researchers. An explosive jet which is powered by a supermassive black hole was registered to travel with a speed 20 times bigger than the speed of light.
On the 7th of April, a study describing this phenomenon was published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. The analysis is presenting that the observations of this optical illusion are displaying the sharpest images ever posted of a jet-fueled by a supermassive black hole.
Consequently, the scientists are currently challenged by this never seen occurrence, and determining the formation of the jets is presently viewed as the most challenging quest for astrophysics that has ever occurred.
A Black Hole Is Puzzling The Scientists
The eruption point of the jets is a galaxy situated at five billion light-years away from our planet, and its name is 3C 279. The impressive feature of this galaxy is its galactic core that is one of the brightest and energetic things in the outer space. In the middle of the Universe, there is a supermassive black hole, whose sizes are one billion times bigger than the Sun.
The jet explosions occur when clumps of matter enter the black hole. There, they become boiling, which causes an increase of energy, resulting in their propulsion from the blazar pole.
The existence of 3C 279 and its supermassive luminal jet have been monitored since 1970. The difference this time is that the team of researchers is using The Event Horizon Telescope for their studies. It was an excellent asset for the project one year ago. This equipment captured the first image in the history of a black hole. The EHT is the key to success, bringing the answer.
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