Astronomers have detected the largest and most ancient radio jet ever found, originating from a quasar in the universe’s earliest days. The cosmic structure, known as J1601+3102, stretches 200,000 light-years – nearly three times the diameter of our Milky Way galaxy. Captured using the LOFAR telescope network, this discovery provides insights into early galaxy evolution and modest black holes’ capabilities.
The source of this massive radio jet is surprising, considering its relatively modest black hole mass of about 450 million solar masses. Research suggests that an exceptionally large black hole or accretion rate isn’t necessary for generating powerful jets in the young universe. Instead, it seems that even a smaller black hole can produce remarkable effects.
The radio jets are made up of charged particles ejected at near-light speeds and form lobes visible in radio wavelengths. The two lobes stretch roughly 66,000 light-years on either side of the central quasar, making this phenomenon only observable from Earth due to its extreme nature.
The LOFAR telescope network played a pivotal role in this discovery, enabling astronomers to detect extremely long-wavelength radio signals that other telescopes often miss. The advanced sensitivity of LOFAR allowed researchers to see tenuous clouds of electrons and reveal the full extent of J1601+3102. Without LOFAR, much of this object might have remained invisible.
A comprehensive view of J1601+3102 was achieved by combining observations from multiple telescopes. Infrared observations from the Gemini North Telescope and optical spectroscopy from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope provided valuable information about the quasar’s distance and properties. The study offers a unique window into early galaxy evolution, black hole behavior, and their interactions.
The discovery highlights the power of combining observational data from various wavelengths. Each layer of observation revealed distinct facets of J1601+3102, providing insights into its structure, host galaxy, and environment.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/06/the-largest-black-hole-jet-ever-found