Astronomers have captured detailed images of a mysterious filament surrounding galaxy M87. The central black hole plays a role in the evolution of these structures.

Filament surrounding M87. (Image credits: DSS, MegaCam/CFHT, MEGARA/GTC).

New Delhi: An international team of astronomers has captured the most detailed and complete picture of the mysterious filament surrounding the giant galaxy M87. M87 is a supermassive elliptical galaxy located approximately 55 million light-years away, best known for the extremely active supermassive black hole that occupies its center. New observations made by ground-based telescopes reveal that galaxies are surrounded by long thread-like structures that move, evolve, and interact with the galactic environment as well as the activity of the supermassive black hole at its center. This supermassive black hole contains 6.5 billion solar masses. event horizon telescoperevealing its shadow for the first time.

M87 is at the center of the Virgo Cluster, a huge system containing thousands of galaxies. These galaxies are immersed in diffuse intracluster gas at temperatures reaching tens of millions of degrees Celsius. Like many central galaxies, M87 extends far from its center through a complex network of thin filaments. Despite decades of research, the origin of these filaments is unknown, and it is unclear how they are able to survive in the harsh environment of galaxy clusters. M87 is the closest known galaxy with such a filamentary structure.

Filaments related to current and past activities

Astronomers were able to determine the filament’s movement, composition, and connection with the surrounding environment. Previous studies have shown that filaments near the center of galaxies are stirred up by powerful polar jets from black holes. New observations reveal that these filaments are also stirred up by small local motions caused by old star explosions, which are common throughout the galaxy. The researchers also found that the detached outer filaments were moving in a more stable and uniform manner and appeared to be associated with the early jets of past periods of black hole activity. The composition of the gas within the filament also differs. A paper describing the research Published in Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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