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Black Hole Pair Embedded in Middle of Active Galaxy MCG-03-34-064

A Hubble Space Telescope visible-light image of the galaxy MCG-03-34-064 that appears as an orange spiral. It has a blue center (expanded in an inset image at upper right) with three bright spots embedded in a white ellipse at the galaxy's center. Two of these bright spots are the source of strong X-ray emission, a telltale sign that they are supermassive black holes converting matter to energy.

A Hubble Space Telescope visible-light image of the galaxy MCG-03-34-064. Hubble's sharp view reveals three distinct bright spots embedded in a white ellipse at the galaxy's center (expanded in an inset image at upper right). Two of these bright spots are the source of strong X-ray emission, a telltale sign that they are supermassive black holes. The black holes shine brightly because they are converting infalling matter into energy, and blaze across space as active galactic nuclei. Their separation is about 300 light-years. The third spot is a blob of bright gas. The blue streak pointing to the 5 o'clock position may be a jet fired from one of the black holes. The black hole pair is a result of a merger between two galaxies that will eventually collide.

  • Object Name
    Object NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.
    MCG-03-34-064
  • Object Description
    Object DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.
    Galaxy with Two Active Galactic Nuclei
  • Release Date
    September 9, 2024
  • Science Release
    NASA’s Hubble, Chandra Find Supermassive Black Hole Duo
  • Credit
    NASA, ESA, Anna Trindade Falcão (CfA); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)

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Details

Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov