[ad_1]
Hubble Space Telescope image of nearby IC 5063 galaxy. A collection of narrow light beams and dark shadows are seen radiating from the incredibly bright center of the active galaxy, firing at least 36,000 light years. IC 5063 resides 156 million light years from Earth. Credits: NASA, ESA and WP Maksym (CfA)
Some of the most incredible views of our sky occur at sunset, when sunlight penetrates the clouds, creating a mixture of light and dark rays formed by the shadows of the clouds and the beams of light diffused by the atmosphere. Astronomers studying the nearby galaxy IC 5063 are teased by a similar effect in this new image from the NASA/THAT Hubble Space Telescope. In this case, a collection of narrow light rays and dark shadows are seen radiating from the incredibly bright center of the active galaxy, firing for at least 36,000 light years.
Astronomers have tracked the rays to the galaxy’s core, the location of an active supermassive black hole. The black hole is feeding on falling material, producing a powerful jet of light from the superheated gas near it. Although the researchers have developed several plausible theories for the light show, the most intriguing idea suggests that shadows are cast into space by an inner tube-shaped ring, or torus, of dusty material surrounding the black hole.
IC 5063 resides 156 million light years from Earth.
[ad_2]
Source link
