Astronomy Picture of the Day
    


Micro-Quasar GRS1915 Puffs
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Micro-Quasar GRS1915 Puffs
Credit & Copyright: R. Spencer (U. Manchester) et al., MERLIN, Jodrell Bank
Explanation: On the far side of our Galaxy, gas clouds explode away from a small black hole. This might seem peculiar, as black holes are supposed to attract matter. But material falling toward a black hole collides and heats up, creating an environment similar to a quasar that is far from stable. In the above time-lapse sequence, micro-quasar GRS1915 expels bubbles of hot gas in spectacular jets. These computer enhanced radio images show one plasma bubble coming almost directly toward us at 90 percent the speed of light, and another moving away. Each of the four frames marks the passage of one day. Originally detected on October 29th, these bubbles have now faded from view.

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
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Based on Astronomy Picture Of the Day

Publications with keywords: black hole - jet
Publications with words: black hole - jet
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