A supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy J1007+3540 has recently come back to life after a 100-million-year hiatus, emitting a one-million-light-year-long stream of star-forming particles and gas. This cosmic event, captured in radio images, has been dubbed a “cosmic volcano” by researchers.
Lead study author Shobha Kumari of Midnapore City College in India describes J1007+3540 as an episodic galaxy, where the central black hole intermittently emits jets of particles and gas. This episodic activity is a common feature of supermassive black holes, also known as active galactic nuclei (AGNs), as they go through cycles of dormancy and eruption over thousands of years.
The radio images of J1007+3540, taken using interferometers in the Netherlands and India, reveal both the newborn jet and older material from past AGN episodes surrounding the galaxy. This unique structure provides valuable insights into the evolution and impact of episodic galaxies on their surroundings.
The interactions between J1007+3540’s AGN phase and the intracluster medium (ICM) of the galaxy cluster where it resides have been traced through a faint, fragmented tail of old material extending into intergalactic space. These observations help astronomers understand the dynamic relationship between a galaxy’s jets and its cluster environment.
Further research is needed to explore how interactions with the ICM can influence the formation of new stars and shape the behavior of galaxies. Observing unusual cases like J1007+3540 allows researchers to refine their models of these cosmic processes and gain a deeper understanding of the universe.
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