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M87 Jet – Knot Flaring (Narration Only)

Hubble astronomers have watched a knot in the jet of gas and radiation from M87's black hole that appears to brighten steadily for several years, then fade, only to brighten again. While researchers can't be sure what's causing this phenomenon, some speculate the jet is hitting interstellar material. Another hypothesis is that the jet's magnetic field lines are being squeezed together and unleashing a large amount of energy.
  • Release Date
    April 14, 2009
  • Science Release
    Hubble Witnesses Spectacular Flaring in Gas Jet from M87’s Black Hole
    Read the release
  • Credit
    NASA, ESA, Z. Levay, G. Bacon, and M. Estacion (STScI); Image: NASA, ESA, J. Madrid (McMaster University)

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Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media

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

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