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Pictor A:
Spectacular X-ray Jet Points Toward Cosmic Energy Booster
Radio Galaxy Pictor A. The
Chandra X-ray image of Pictor A shows a spectacular jet
that emanates from the center of the galaxy (left) and
extends across 360 thousand light years toward a
brilliant hot spot. The hot spot is at least 800
thousand light years (8 times the diameter of our Milky
Way galaxy) away from where the jet originates. The hot
spot is thought to represent the advancing head of the
jet, which brightens conspicuously where it plows into
the tenuous gas of intergalactic space.
One possible explanation for the X rays is that shock
waves along the side and head of the X-ray jet are
boosting electrons and possibly protons to speeds close
to that of light. Jets are thought to be produced by
the powerful electromagnetic forces created by
magnetized gas swirling toward a black hole. Although
most of the material falls into the black hole, some
can be ejected at extremely high speeds. Magnetic
fields spun out by these forces can extend over vast
distances and may help explain the narrowness of the
jet.
| Fast Facts for Pictor A: |
| Credit |
NASA/UMD/A.Wilson et al. |
| Scale |
The hot spot is 4.2 arcmin from the galaxy |
| Category |
Quasars & Active Galaxies |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 05h 19m 49.70s | Dec -45° 46' 45" |
| Constellation |
Pictor |
| Observation Dates |
January 18, 2000
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| Observation Time |
8 hours |
| Obs. IDs |
346
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| Color Code |
Intensity |
| Instrument |
ACIS |
| References | A.Wilson et al. (AAS 196, #34.14) |
| Release Date |
June 06, 2000 |
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