Black holes turned out to be more powerful than previously thought. A new study has shown that they can convert up to 70% of their energy into powerful relativistic jets - jets of plasma ejected over vast distances. This discovery changes the way we think about the role of black holes in galaxy formation and energy processes in the Universe.
The study, conducted by astrophysicists from the University of Colorado, showed that strong magnetic fields play a key role in this process. They allow black holes to extract energy through the Blandford-Znajek (BZ) effect, which was previously considered the main mechanism of jet formation. However, new simulations have revealed that the amount of energy escaping into space is much higher than previous estimates.
The researchers used sophisticated computer simulations based on general relativity and magnetohydrodynamics. They modeled the behavior of magnetic fields in accretion disks, the structures of gas and dust surrounding black holes. It was found that the faster a black hole rotates, the more energy it emits in the form of jets.
The results may also explain why some black holes appear brighter than theoretical models predict. Part of the unused energy can heat the surrounding gas, creating a so-called corona - a hot layer of matter that emits X-rays.
Scientists plan to continue research to learn more about the impact of this process on galactic evolution. Black holes no longer look like just “space dusty drones” - they turned out to be complex energy machines that affect the structure of the Universe much more than researchers thought.
Black holes turned out to be more powerful than previously thought. A new study has shown that they can convert up to 70% of their energy into powerful relativistic jets - jets of plasma ejected over vast distances. This discovery is changing the way we think about the role of black holes in galaxy formation and energy processes in the Universe.
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A study conducted by astrophysicists from the University of Colorado showed that strong magnetic fields play a key role in this process. They allow black holes to extract energy through the Blandford-Znajek (BZ) effect, which was previously considered the main mechanism of jet formation. However, new simulations have revealed that the amount of energy escaping into space is much higher than previous estimates.
The researchers used sophisticated computer simulations based on general relativity and magnetohydrodynamics. They modeled the behavior of magnetic fields in accretion disks, the structures of gas and dust surrounding black holes. It was found that the faster a black hole rotates, the more energy it emits in the form of jets.
The results may also explain why some black holes appear brighter than theoretical models predict. Part of the unused energy can heat the surrounding gas, creating a so-called corona - a hot layer of matter that emits X-rays.
Scientists plan to continue research to learn more about the impact of this process on galactic evolution. Black holes no longer look like just “space dusty dustbins” - they have turned out to be complex energy machines that affect the structure of the universe much more than researchers thought.
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