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Astronomers discover restarted black hole activity in radio galaxy

Source:Indian Express ↗

Why It Matters

Space technology and astronomical discoveries are recurring themes in UPSC Prelims (Basic Science) and GS Paper 3 (Awareness in Space). Understanding black holes, radio galaxies, and India's indigenous observational capabilities like the GMRT is critical for Science & Technology questions.

Summary

Astronomers from the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune have identified restarted black hole activity in a Giant Radio Galaxy (GRG) experiencing extreme cosmic pressure. Using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), researchers observed a supermassive black hole that had ceased its emission of radio jets, only to 'wake up' and emit new jets inside the remnants of the old ones. The findings illustrate how intense pressure from the cosmic web can interact with and influence the episodic outbursts of active galactic nuclei, offering critical insights into the evolution of supermassive black holes and large-scale cosmic structures.

Key Points

  • Astronomers discovered restarted activity in a supermassive black hole located within a Giant Radio Galaxy (GRG).
  • The study utilized the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) located near Pune to observe new radio plasma lobes emerging within older ones.
  • The restarted black hole activity occurred under extreme cosmic pressure from the surrounding intra-cluster medium or cosmic web.
  • This discovery sheds light on the episodic nature of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and how extreme cosmic environments constrain and shape the life cycles of galaxies and black hole jets.
Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

  • 2019PrelimsGS1

    Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

  • 2022MainsGS3

    Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes ? What are the key goals of this mission ? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race?

  • 2023PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following pairs: Objects in space Description 1. Cepheids: Giant clouds of dust and gas in space 2. Nebulae: Stars which brighten and dim periodically 3. Pulsars: Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?