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X-ray, Radio, & Optical Images of M84Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Princeton Univ/C. Bambic et al.; Optical: SDSS; Radio: NSF/NRAO/VLA/ESO; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N.Wolk
Astronomers have mapped the hot gas — using X-ray data from Chandra — down to only about 100 light-years from the black hole in the center of the M84 galaxy. A radio image from the VLA reveals jets streaking away from the black hole, while optical data from the SDSS show M84 and neighboring galaxies. The jets from the black hole have pushed out holes, or cavities, in the hot gas surrounding the black hole creating an “H”-shaped structure. This result contributes to the understanding of how black holes pull in and ingest material and the role that jets play in this process.
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3D Printable Files: M84 (3D Print Credit: NASA/CXC/A. Jubett, using software by Tactile Universe/N. Bonne & C. Krawczyk & Blender)
Return to: 'H' is for Hot and Huge in Chandra Image (May 3, 2023)