Astronomers have captured a cosmic jet that bears an eerie resemblance to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Eye of Sauron” – but this phenomenon could hold the key to solving some of the universe’s most enduring mysteries. The object, originating from a blazar galaxy powered by a supermassive black hole, has puzzled scientists for years due to its slow-moving jet.
Recent 15-year radio observations from the Very Long Baseline Array revealed an unparalleled image of the jet at unprecedented resolution. Researchers discovered that the near-perfect toroidal magnetic field and jet alignment amplify high-energy radio emissions, causing a brightness boost by a factor of 30 or more.
The unique structure of the jet’s magnetic field suggests it may play a crucial role in accelerating particles to extreme energies. This discovery provides scientists with a rare opportunity to study the universe’s most powerful phenomena up close.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/eye-sauron-space-phenomena-could-35727020