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Centaurus A Jet:
Energetic Jet Meets Resistance In Nearby Galaxy
This is a composite image of Chandra
X-ray (blue) and VLA radio
(red) observations showing the inner 4,000 light years of a
magnetized jet in Centaurus A. Purple regions are bright in both
radio and X-ray. The jet originates from the vicinity of the
supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy (lower right
hand corner of the image).
The radio observations, taken between 1991 and 2002, showed that
the inner portion of the jet is moving away from the center of
the galaxy at speeds of about half the speed of light. Most of
the X-rays from the jet are produced farther out where the jet
stalls as it plows through the gas in the galaxy. The collision
of the jet with the galactic gas generates a powerful shock wave
that produces the extremely high energy particles responsible for
the X-rays.
Because Centaurus A is relatively nearby at a distance of 11
million light years, this image offers one of the most detailed
looks yet at the interaction of a jet with gas in its galaxy.
Jets such as the one in Centaurus A are widespread phenomena
in the cosmos, and represent one of the primary means for
extracting energy from the vicinity of a black hole. Some jets
extend over distances of a million light years. They represent a
major energy source for the galaxy and are thought to affect the
evolution of the host galaxy and its surroundings. The above image will help scientists to understand the effects of
jets on their environment.