Black-hole-powered jets forge fuel for star formation
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - 12:21
in Astronomy & Space
Astronomers have discovered a surprising connection between a supermassive black hole and the galaxy where it resides. Powerful radio jets from the black hole - which normally suppress star formation - are stimulating the production of cold gas in the galaxy's extended halo of hot gas. This newly identified supply of cold, dense gas could eventually fuel future star birth as well as feed the black hole itself.