A team of international scientists, including researchers from Aalto University, has utilized new millimeter-wavelength observations to generate an extraordinary image showcasing both the central black hole’s accretion flow and the powerful relativistic jet in the renowned Messier 87 galaxy. By combining the capabilities of multiple telescopes, the researchers were able to visualize the connection between the black hole’s accretion flow and the origin of the jet in ways never seen before. Surprisingly, the observations also unveiled a broader radiation near the black hole, suggesting heightened activity. The results, published in the journal Nature, provide crucial insights into the formation of the powerful jet and expand our understanding of these enigmatic cosmic phenomena.
The image obtained captures the jet and shadow of the black hole in the M87 galaxy together for the first time, granting scientists a comprehensive context to comprehend the jet’s formation. Notably, the observations reveal that the black hole’s ring, which is depicted in the inset, is 50% larger than the ring observed at shorter radio wavelengths by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). This disparity suggests that the new image offers a more extensive view of the material falling into the black hole compared to the EHT’s observations.
The material surrounding the black hole is believed to undergo accretion as it plunges into the black hole. However, until now, no direct imaging of this process had been achieved. Ru-Sen Lu of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, who also leads a Max Planck Research Group at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explains that the previously observed ring has expanded and become more pronounced at the 3.5 mm observing wavelength. This expansion indicates that the infalling material generates additional emission, which the new image captures, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the physical mechanisms near the black hole.
The Global Millimetre VLBI Array (GMVA), combined with the phased Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Greenland Telescope (GLT), significantly enhanced the imaging capabilities of the observational network. Consequently, the team successfully imaged the ring-like structure in M87 for the first time at a wavelength of 3.5 mm. The diameter of the ring, as measured by the GMVA, corresponds to the size of a small selfie ring light (5 inches/13 cm) seen by an astronaut on the Moon gazing back at Earth. Remarkably, this diameter is 50% larger than the observations made by the Event Horizon Telescope at 1.3 mm, aligning with theoretical expectations regarding the emission from relativistic plasma in that region.
Thomas Krichbaum from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) highlights the significant improvement in imaging capabilities resulting from the addition of ALMA and GLT to the GMVA observations. These enhancements allow researchers to witness the emergence of the triple-ridged jet from the emission ring surrounding the supermassive black hole and measure the ring’s diameter at a longer wavelength.
The Aalto University Metsähovi Radio Observatory, equipped with a 14-meter radio telescope, contributed to collecting the data for this groundbreaking image. Tuomas Savolainen, a senior scientist at Aalto University and a co-author of the study, emphasizes the observatory’s valuable role in the GMVA measurement campaigns for over a decade. The scarcity of antennas capable of operating at 3.5 mm wavelength underscores the significance of data collected at Metsähovi.
While the Event Horizon Telescope captured the black hole’s shadow in M87, its limited number of participating telescopes hindered the detection of the weaker and more extended jet. Observing at 1.3 mm wavelength presents an even greater challenge due to the scarcity of telescopes equipped for such observations. These recent millimeter-wavelength observations shed light on the interplay between highly energetic electrons and magnetic fields, known as synchrotron radiation, which produces the light emitted by M87.
Furthermore, the new data provides insights into the nature of the black hole itself. Researchers have discovered that the black hole consumes matter at a low rate, converting only a small portion into radiation. Computer simulations were employed to understand the larger and thicker ring observed, with the results suggesting a link to the accretion flow.
Surprisingly, the data also revealed unexpected radiation from the inner region near the black hole, broader than anticipated. This observation hints at the possibility of not only gas infalling but also a wind blowing out, causing turbulence and chaos in the vicinity of the black hole.
The exploration of Messier 87 continues as ongoing observations and a collection of powerful telescopes strive to unravel its secrets. Future observations at millimeter wavelengths will offer insights into the temporal evolution of the black hole and provide a multi-colored view in radio light. The Metsähovi Radio Observatory is actively participating in these endeavors, and with the introduction of a new receiver in a few years, the quality of data will further improve by compensating for atmospheric distortions across a wide range of wavelengths.
The groundbreaking achievement of capturing the black hole’s jet and shadow in unprecedented detail not only broadens our understanding of these cosmic entities but also sets the stage for future breakthroughs and exploration in the field of astrophysics.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about black hole imaging
What did scientists capture in the unprecedented image?
Scientists captured both the matter falling into the central black hole and the powerful relativistic jet of the Messier 87 galaxy in the unprecedented image.
How did scientists enhance their imaging capabilities?
Scientists enhanced their imaging capabilities by collaborating with various telescopes, including the Global Millimetre VLBI Array (GMVA), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the Greenland Telescope (GLT).
What did the new observations reveal about the black hole’s ring?
The new observations revealed that the black hole’s ring, observed at a wavelength of 3.5 mm, is 50% larger than the ring observed at shorter radio wavelengths by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). This suggests that the new image provides a more extensive view of the material falling toward the black hole.
What is the significance of the broader radiation near the black hole?
The broader radiation near the black hole, discovered in the new observations, indicates the possibility of more than just gas falling in. It suggests the presence of a wind blowing out, causing turbulence and chaos around the black hole.
What are the implications of these findings for future research?
These findings open up new avenues for further research on the black hole in Messier 87. Future observations, particularly at millimeter wavelengths, will allow scientists to study the temporal evolution of the black hole and obtain a poly-chromatic view of it with multiple color images in radio light.
