Astronomers have spotted an extraordinary event where one galaxy pierces another with a powerful beam of radiation, causing devastating effects on the ‘wounded’ galaxy. The discovery has been dubbed “cosmic joust,” and it marks the first time this kind of interaction has been observed in an ongoing galactic merger.
During the cosmic joust, the quasar’s radiation clears clouds from which new stars form, suppressing star formation. This is due to the beam of radiation blasting into the sparring galaxy’s star-forming clouds, leaving little behind and disrupting gas flows between the galaxies.
The research team, led by astronomers Sergei Balashev and Pasquier Noterdaeme, found that the quasar’s activity has a profound impact on both galaxies. The quasar’s black hole is fuelled by gas taken from its partner galaxy, while the host galaxy suffers from “quenching,” a process where powerful black hole winds clear away its own star-forming material.
However, the ongoing interaction between the galaxies also offers hope for new life. The collision of their gas reservoirs creates regions of over-density, which can germinate the seeds of new stars. This suggests that even in the infancy of the Universe, a bit of disruption can ignite a new stage of life – even for galaxies on the move.
The research was published in Nature and sheds light on the complex processes involved in galactic collisions and quasar activity, highlighting the intricate web of dark matter that connects galaxies across the universe.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/galaxy-speared-with-black-holes-radiation-in-first-ever-cosmic-joust