| 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. |
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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.
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