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Scenario for Mysterious Light Beams from Active Galaxy

Scenario for Mysterious Light Beams from Active Galaxy

This illustration depicts one possible explanation for the mysterious bright rays and dark shadows observed emanating from the blazingly bright center of nearby active galaxy IC 5063.

In this scenario, a dusty disk surrounding the monster black hole is casting its shadow into space, which is interspersed with bright rays that are leaking through gaps in the disk. The shadows and rays extend from both sides of the disk, seen edge-on in this view. The black hole, which is hidden inside the disk, is surrounded by superheated infalling gas—the source of the bright core. The optical effect is similar to beams of sunlight shining though scattered clouds near sunset.

As seen from Earth, the disk is perpendicular to powerful high-speed jets of plasma that shoot out of the black hole and do not smash into the disk.

  • Release Date
    November 19, 2020
  • Science Release
    Hubble Catches ‘Shadow Play’ of the Disk Around a Black Hole
    Read the release
  • Credit
    NASA, ESA, and Z. Levy (STScI)

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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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