Formation of Extragalactic Jets from a Black Hole Accretion Disk
Depicts: M 87, IRAS 12282+1240, NGC 4486, the Virgo Cluster A, the Virgo Galaxy
Copyright: NASA and Ann Feild (Space Telescope Science Institute)
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Artist's concept of the formation region of M 87's jet. An accretion disk (red-yellow) surrounds the black hole, and its magnetic field lines twist tightly to channel the outpouring subatomic particles into a narrow jet. The jet opens widely near the black hole, then is shaped into a narrower beam within a light-year of the black hole.
Last Update: 1 September 2019