IXPE Explores a Black Hole Jet

Explanation: How do black holes create X-rays? Answering this long-standing question was significantly advanced recently with data taken by NASA's IXPE satellite. X-rays cannot exit a black hole , but they can be created in the energetic environment nearby , in particular by a jet of particles moving outward. By observing X-ray light arriving from near the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy BL Lac , called a blazar , it was discovered that these X-rays lacked significant polarization , which is expected when created more by energetic electrons than protons . In the featured artistic illustration , a powerful jet is depicted emanating from an orange-colored accretion disk circling the black hole. Understanding highly energetic processes across the universe helps humanity to understand similar processes that occur on or near our Earth .

Put it All Together: Astronomy Puzzle of the Day