NGC 1068, Barred Spiral Galaxy, Radio Image
Spiral structure of NGC 1068. A jet powered by the central supermassive black hole is shown by the radio data. The X-ray images and spectra obtained using Chandra's High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer show that a strong wind is being driven away from the center of NGC 1068 at a rate of about a million miles per hour. This wind is likely generated as surrounding gas is accelerated and heated as it swirls toward the black hole. A portion of the gas is pulled into the black hole, but some of it is blown away. High energy X-rays produced by the gas near the black hole heat the outflowing gas, causing it to glow at lower X-ray energies. This Chandra study is much deeper than previous X-ray observations. It allowed scientists to make a high-definition map of the cone-shaped volume lit up by the black hole and its winds, and make precision measurements of how the wind speed varies along the cone. These results help explain how a supermassive black hole can alter the evolution of its host galaxy. NGC 1068 is located about 50 million light years from Earth and contains a supermassive black hole. Release date March 3, 2010.
Size: 3419px × 3600px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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