Two recent epic astronomical discoveries may seem unrelated at first glance.
One is an image captured by the James Webb Space Telescope showing newborn stars in our galaxy, approximately 450 light years away. This incredible picture depicts the birth of the solar system with thin dust discs slowly forming.
The other discovery combines optical and wireless data to reveal a massive astrophysical system larger than the Milky Way. This discovery provides a glimpse into the intergalactic violence caused by supermassive black holes actively consuming their surroundings.
Despite their differences, a striking similarity can be observed between the two discoveries. Both display objects emitting long, straight jets of light or material into the universe, resembling double-sided lightsabers.
Astrophysical jets are a common phenomenon in space, driven by the basic features of gravity, rotation, and magnetic fields.
The formation of discs in space involves a few simple steps driven by gravity and rotation. Material is attracted towards an object creating discs like spiral galaxies, protoplanetary discs, and accretion discs around black holes.
Gravity and rotation explain the formation of these discs, while magnetic fields play a crucial role in the generation of jets. Charged particles in space generate magnetic fields when in motion, leading to the creation of long, straight jets perpendicular to the disc plane.
These jets vary in strength and size depending on the magnetic field and rotation that drives them. From protostars to supermassive black holes, jets can extend vast distances into space, showcasing the extreme power of gravity and magnetic forces in the universe.
Astrophysical jets provide a mesmerizing insight into the mechanisms driving the most extreme wonders of the universe, from stars being devoured by black holes to pulsars emitting light across space.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
