A major astronomical discovery has been made at a distance which, although considerable, places the object among the closest supermassive black holes to our planet. Astronomers have observed jets of matter being emitted at speeds close to that of light by a supermassive black hole located in the heart of the galaxy NGC 1275, also known as 3C 84 or Perseus A. This observation reveals a titanic battle between two of the universe's fundamental forces: gravity and magnetism.
These phenomena were captured thanks to the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), a global network of interconnected radio telescopes, which has already made headlines by producing the first images ever obtained of a black hole. The EHT has allowed for the observation of the polarization of light around this supermassive black hole, revealing a well-ordered magnetic field in its immediate vicinity. This magnetic structure demonstrates its ability to overcome the massive gravitational force of the black hole to propel jets of matter at high speeds.
The study of these jets of matter is crucial to understanding how black holes feed on matter and eject powerful jets that extend far beyond their host galaxies. NGC 1275 is located at the center of the Perseus supercluster, some 230 million light-years from Earth, making it one of the closest supermassive black holes to us.
Zoom on Perseus A with the Event Horizon Telescope revealing details of the powerful jet it emits.
Credit: Georgios Filippos Paraschos (MPIfR)
The observations of the EHT suggest that the rotation speed of a supermassive black hole, such as the one at the heart of Perseus A, may be linked to its ability to launch jets. This phenomenon, which seems to result from the predominance of magnetism over gravity, may also be influenced by the involvement of angular momentum, a form of "external interference".
These findings pave the way for a better understanding of the formation of jets produced by black holes and highlight the importance of Einstein's general relativity in explaining these phenomena. The EHT continues to enhance its capabilities, promising even more discoveries about the formation of jets and the structure of black holes.