Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SheltieLover

(59,618 posts)
Sat Nov 26, 2022, 04:20 PM Nov 2022

We Finally Know How Black Holes Produce The Most Brilliant Light in The Universe

https://www.sciencealert.com/we-finally-know-how-black-holes-produce-the-most-brilliant-light-in-the-universe/amp

For something that emits no light that we can detect, black holes just love to cloak themselves in radiance.

Some of the brightest light in the Universe comes from supermassive black holes, in fact. Well, not actually the black holes themselves; it's the material around them as they actively slurp down vast amounts of matter from their immediate surroundings.

Among the brightest of these maelstroms of swirling hot material are galaxies known as blazars. Not only do they glow with the heat of a swirling coat, but they also channel material into 'blazing' beams that zoom through the cosmos, shedding electromagnetic radiation at energies that are hard to fathom.

Scientists have finally figured out the mechanism producing the incredible high-energy light that reaches us from billions of years ago: Shocks in the black hole's jets that boost the speed of particles to mind-blowing velocities.

Much more at link.
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
We Finally Know How Black Holes Produce The Most Brilliant Light in The Universe (Original Post) SheltieLover Nov 2022 OP
I am so releived those nasty black holes are at140 Nov 2022 #1
And we still wouldn't have seen Trump tax returns packman Nov 2022 #3
But Cher will still be looking good. n/t spike jones Nov 2022 #4
And Willie Nelson will still be doing Farm Aid packman Nov 2022 #5
One of those beams as a direct hit on this planet might be a sight not to be seen. erronis Nov 2022 #2

at140

(6,134 posts)
1. I am so releived those nasty black holes are
Sat Nov 26, 2022, 04:24 PM
Nov 2022

very very far away from earthlings. Our own sun will gobble us up in 5 Billion years by morphing into a red giant.

erronis

(16,863 posts)
2. One of those beams as a direct hit on this planet might be a sight not to be seen.
Sat Nov 26, 2022, 04:57 PM
Nov 2022

And there are millions (yottas?) of these black holes that are consuming matter and emitting various interesting and strong after-effects.

The chance that we will be swept by one or more is not insignificant. It will probably be more spectacular than just the Northern Lights. Might be more than our eyes or our cameras or our bodies can absorb. But enjoy if you can!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»We Finally Know How Black...