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Black Hole Fires at Neighboring Galaxy

Posted by timothy on from the insert-space-cannon-noise dept.

StarCraft 2 writes "This composite image shows the jet from a black hole at the center of a galaxy striking the edge of another galaxy, the first time such an interaction has been found. In the image, it is clearly seen how the jet from the main galaxy on the lower left is striking its companion galaxy to the upper right. The jet impacts the companion galaxy at its edge and is then disrupted and deflected, much like how a stream of water from a hose will splay out after hitting a wall at an angle. The composite image was made by combining data from Chandra, Hubble and several other systems."

4 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. It's scary... by JerryLove · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's scary just how many different things out there seem waiting to kill you; from asteroids to stellar explosions to, now, death-star black-holes.

    On the other hand: I'd imagine it's terribly useful to see what a galaxy does to such an emission. It's got to tell us a lot about things like the real density of the glactic body, and to what extent, if any, a galaxy clears space around it.

    1. Re:It's scary... by sm62704 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's scary just how many different things out there seem waiting to kill you; from asteroids to stellar explosions to, now, death-star black-holes.

      I think your chances of dying from cancer, heart disease, auto accident, industrial accident, old age or even 'teh terrists' (unlikely as dying from a terrorist attack is) ar far, far greater than dying from some extraterrestrial phenomenon.

      But no matter how you're going to die, you're going to die. There's no point in fearing the inevitable. We are all under a sentence of death. Enjoy your time in this universe while you're still here to do so.

      -mcgrew

      --
      mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
  2. 'Death Star' galaxy by the_kanzure · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Over at the Orion's Arm mailing list a week ago, this topic came up too: they were calling it a 'death star' galaxy.

    Or possibly a Type III Kardashev civ taking issue with the occupants of a nearby galaxy (or *maybe* an S6 or even S7 Galaxy Brain trying to insure a rival doesn't achieve the same status and threaten it?)! Looks like a cosmic beat-down either way!
    Anyway, the galaxies have many awesome processes -- nebulas, supernovae, supermassive blackholes and that strange darkmatter 'void' -- some that we can, perhaps, take advantage of.
  3. I've always wondered... by Epistax · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I've always wondered if all black holes do this but we simply aren't able to tell from our perspective. Such as a pen laser, you can't really tell if it's on unless it's aimed at or near your eye, if you can see what it is hitting, or if there is something in the air to illuminate. This would certainly go in line with the theory that black holes can never actually exist. That is, everything that appears to be a black hole is on the teetering edge of becoming one at all times, but constantly bleeds matter so no event horizon can form.

    I have no formal education in this stuff nor have I even bothered to read a book, but I'm full of poorly educated gut feelings on the matter!