The Interaction of Fast-Moving Electrons and Photons Drives X-Ray Emission in Blazar Jets

A recent study utilized NASA’s IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarized Explorer) to analyze a highly relativistic jet originating from the Blazar Bl Lacertae, a supermassive black hole surrounded by luminous discs.



This artist’s rendering illustrates the core area of Blazar Bl Lacertae, featuring an ultra-massive black hole surrounded by bright discs and Earth-directed jets. Image credit: NASA/Pablo Garcia.

Astrophysicists elucidated a highly relativistic jet, proposing two competing theories regarding an X-ray component made up of protons and electrons.

Each theory presents a distinct signature in the polarization characteristics of the X-ray light.

Polarized light signifies the average direction of the electromagnetic waves comprising light.

When X-rays in a black hole’s jets are highly polarized, it indicates production from protons that circulate within the magnetic field of the jet or protons interacting with the jet’s photons.

Conversely, low polarization in X-rays implies that the generation of X-rays occurs through electron-photon interactions.

The IXPE is the sole satellite capable of making such polarization measurements.

“This was one of the greatest mysteries involving supermassive black hole jets,” remarks Dr. Ivan Agdo, an astronomer at Astrophicidae Athtrophicidae and Andocia-CSIC.

“Thanks to numerous supporting ground telescopes, IXPE equipped us with the necessary tools to ultimately resolve this issue.”

Astronomers concluded that electrons are likely the source, through a process known as Compton scattering.

This phenomenon, also referred to as the Compton effect, occurs when photons lose or gain energy through interactions with charged particles (primarily electrons).

Within the jets of a supermassive black hole, electrons move at speeds approaching that of light.

IXPE enabled researchers to determine that, in Blazar jets, electrons possess enough energy to scatter infrared photons into the X-ray spectrum.

Bl Lacertae, one of the earliest discovered Blazars, was initially thought to be a kind of star in the Lacerta constellation.

IXPE monitored Bl Lacertae for seven days in November 2023, in conjunction with several ground-based telescopes also measuring optical and radio polarization.

Interestingly, during the X-ray polarization observations, Bl Lacertae’s light polarization peaked at 47.5%.

“This marks not only the most polarized BL Lacertae has been in the past 30 years, but indeed the highest ever recorded,” states Dr. Ioannis Riodakis, an astrophysicist at the Institute of Astrophysics.

Researchers noted that X-rays are significantly less polarized than optical light.

They were unable to detect strong polarized signals and ascertained that the X-rays could not exceed 7.6% polarization.

This finding confirms that electron interactions with photons via the Compton effect must account for the X-ray emissions.

“The fact that optical polarization is considerably higher than that of X-rays can only be explained by Compton scattering,” he added.

“IXPE has solved yet another mystery surrounding black holes,” claimed Dr. Enrico Costa, an astrophysicist associated with the planet spaziali of astituto to astituto to n diastrofísica.

“IXPE’s polarized X-ray capabilities have unraveled several long-standing mysteries, which is a significant achievement.

“In other instances, IXPE’s results challenged previously held beliefs, opening up new questions, but that’s the essence of science, and certainly IXPE excels in its scientific contributions.”

Survey results will be published in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Ivan Agd et al. 2025. The height of X-ray and X-ray polarization reveals Compton scattering of BL Lacertae jets. apjl in press; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADC572

Source: www.sci.news

Anomalies in the Universe: Massive spiral galaxies expel enormous pairs of relativistic jets

2MASX J23453268-0449256 (J2345-0449 for short), a very huge, rapidly spinning, jet lag spiral galaxy with approximately 947 million light years in the Aquarius constellation, a mass of billions of people billions that are billions of times the sun’s, and mounted on a massive radio jet spanning six million light years. This is one of the largest known in any spiral galaxy, and such powerful jets are almost exclusively found in elliptical galaxies rather than spiral, thus covering the conventional wisdom of galaxies’ evolution. It also means that the Milky Way can potentially create similar energetic jets in the future.



This image shows the Spiral Galaxy 2Masx J23453268-0449256 and its huge radio jet. Image credit: Bagchi et al. /Giant Metrure Lave Radio Telescope.

“This discovery is more than just weird. It forces us to rethink the evolution of galaxies and how super-large black holes grow and shape the environment within them,” said Professor Joydeep Baguch of Christ University.

“If spiral galaxies can not only survive, but also thrive under such extreme conditions, what does this mean for the future of our own Milky Way galaxies?”

“Can our Galaxy experience similar high-energy phenomena that have serious consequences for the survival of precious lives within it?”

In a new study, astronomers have unraveled the structure and evolution of the Spiral Galaxy J2345-0449, three times the size of the Milky Way.

Using observations from NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, Giant Metruh Rave Radio Telescope, Atacama’s Large Millimeter/Sub-Millimeter Array (ALMA), and multi-wavelength analysis, we detected the giant ultrafine black holes of its mind and radio jets in the largest radio jets by creating rare galaxies.

Traditionally, scientists believed that such huge, superimpression violent activities would destroy the delicate structures of spiral galaxies.

But for all possibilities, J2345-0449 retains its quiet nature with a well-defined spiral arm, bright nuclear bars and an uninterrupted ring of stars.

In addition to enigma, the galaxy is surrounded by vast halos of hot x-ray exhaust, providing important insights into its history.

This halo cools slowly over time, but the black hole jets act like space furnaces, preventing new star formation despite the abundant star-building materials present.

The authors also found that J2345-0449 contains 10 times the dark matter as the Milky Way.

“Understanding these rare galaxies could provide important clues about the invisible forces that govern the universe, such as the nature of dark matter, the long-term fate of the galaxy, and the origin of life,” says Ph.D. A student at the University of Christ.

“In the end, this research brings us one step closer to solving the mystery of the Cosmos and reminds us that the universe holds surprise beyond our imagination.”

Survey results It was published in Monthly Notices from the Royal Astronomical Society.

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Joydeep Bagchi et al. 2025. Announcing bulge disk structures, AGN feedback and baryon landscapes in a large helical galaxy with MPC-scale radio jets. mnras 538(3): 1628-1652; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf229

Source: www.sci.news

Old fighter jets can be recycled and used to create new ones

New Fighter Jet Components Can be Printed 3D

Rolls Royce

The fighter planes first flew in the 1970s were converted to fine powder and can be used for 3D printed components of the next generation aircraft of the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Experts say this is a more efficient way to make aircraft. It is less environmentally harmful and also solves the problem of procuring materials from countries under sanctions, such as Russia.

Robert Hyam Additive Manufacturing Solutions has developed technology to recycle important materials such as TI64. This is titanium with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. The UK Department of Defense has a large number of expensive, hard-to-sauce materials like TI64, but they are bound by outdated or broken aircraft and stored components.

The company was able to take turbine blades from Panavia Tornado, an aircraft used by the RAF from 1980 to 2019, and recycle them into nose cones of prototype engines that power the next generation of RAF fighters. Ta.

“The world is more expensive than before. Making products is more complicated and more expensive,” says Highham. “You can make them as effectively as possible.”

Highham says creating spherical particles from old parts is the key to printing high-quality new parts, as the jug-on particles may be stuck in a 3D printer. It’s not just grinding the metal, so the recycled components melt and then spray them onto a high-pressure jet of argon, where they are split into raindrop-shaped droplets. These droplets rotate the gas, turn into a spherical shape, drop out and solidify. “It’s a very similar process to how rain sparkles,” says Hyam.

The resulting powder can be supplied to a 3D printer. These machines essentially weld the powder into half the thickness of human hair, each layer down one by one, creating a new piece. “It’s a very simple microscope welding process. It’s not even more complicated,” says Higham.

In this first case, powder was used to 3D print nose cones for the Orpheus jet engine. Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS). The FCA includes a variety of aircraft with modular components, including the BAE Systems Tempest, a sixth generation fighter jet for the RAF.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Top 10 fastest jets for 2025

Top Gun There’s really a lot to answer for. Before this movie was released, generations of kids wanted to be astronauts or sports stars. But when Tom Cruise’s blockbuster hit our screens, suddenly everyone was dreaming of donning aviators and taking to the skies in a technologically advanced million-pound fighter jet.

Our gallery has compiled information about the 10 fastest jet planes in the world and their history.

Strap on and have your sick bags ready as you take to the skies to see which jet is the fastest.

10 – F-22 Raptor

An F-22 Raptor flies over Kadena Air Base, Japan on a routine training mission. Photo by Sergeant Major Andy Dunaway/U.S. Air Force

This single-seat stealth fighter is a formidable weapon with a top speed of Mach 2.25 and long-range cruise capability, not to mention a large number of missiles.

Because its stealth capabilities are so advanced, the F-22 is not allowed to be sold outside the United States. But despite its speed and stealth, it has been overshadowed by the slower but more versatile F-35 Lightning II jet.

Production of the F-22 ended after only 187 were built, making it relatively rare to see it in the air.

9 – MiG-29 Fulcrum

Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29 with full afterburner. Photo credit: Bangladesh Air Force/Wikipedia

The MiG-29 was built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War to compete with aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle. It is a lightweight fighter aircraft that can fly 1,500 km on fuel tanks and can refuel in the air. It has a top speed of Mach 2.3, which is extremely fast.

This jet is extremely well built and durable, able to withstand takeoffs and landings on the roughest runways. It has undergone a continuous upgrade program and is still used in many countries around the world.

8 – F-14 Tomcat

An F-14D Tomcat flies over the Persian Gulf region. Photo by Sergeant Rob Tabor/USAF

The F-14 is perhaps best known as the star of the original 1986 film Top Gun. Those familiar with the movie will be familiar with its agility and cockpit built for two people. You may also be aware of the fact that it was operated from an aircraft carrier and had impressive takeoff and landing sequences.

The F-14 is equipped with two jet engines to achieve a top speed of Mach 2.34 and has been in service for over 30 years, making it one of the most famous jet fighters in the world.

7 – MiG-23 Frogger

An aerial view of a Soviet-era MiG-23 jet in flight. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

The MiG-23 is one of the most famous jets on our list, thanks to its variable swept wing design. This makes it very light and agile in flight, making it ideal for air combat situations. Top speed is Mach 2.35, which is difficult to exceed.

As such, it proved to be a very popular airplane, with over 5,000 built over 18 years. Even though the design is nearly 60 years old, it is still in use in some countries thanks to its excellent manufacturing quality.

6 – Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker

Sukhoi Su-27 demonstrating its capabilities at the MAKS-2005 air show. Photo credit: Dmitry Pichugin/Wikipedia

The versatile Sukhoi Su-27 jet has a top speed of Mach 2.35, which means it barely cracks the top five. But speed is not the only appeal of this jet. It also boasts an excellent range and excellent flight maneuverability.

The plane’s climbing ability is legendary, reaching an amazing altitude of 12 km in less than a minute. Thanks to its versatility and flight characteristics, it remains in production more than 40 years after its introduction.

5 – F-15 Eagle

An F-15C Eagle of the 44th Fighter Squadron flies during routine training from Kadena Air Base, Japan. Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Seefeldt/U.S. Air Force

McDonnell Douglas’ venerable F-15 fighter jet remains one of the fastest jet aircraft, with a top speed of Mach 2.5.

Due to its light weight and large wing area, the F-15 is incredibly agile and capable of making small turns without losing speed.

4 – MiG-31 Foxhound

A MiG-31 jet fighter performs at the MAKS-2021 International Aerospace Salon held in Zhukovsky, a suburb of Moscow, Russia. Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

The MiG-31 is one of the oldest jet aircraft still in service. It features a top speed of Mach 2.83, making it a very impressive jet.

3 – MiG-25 Foxbat

A supersonic all-weather fighter interceptor MiG-25PD of the Ukrainian Air Force took off from the air base in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. Photo credit: Alamy

The Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 25 remains the third fastest jet fighter with a top speed of Mach 2.83. Even the latest version is still in use in some countries, despite being outdated.

The plane could theoretically reach speeds of at least Mach 3.2, but its top speed was limited to Mach 2.83 to prevent engine damage from prolonged travel at high speeds.

Over its long lifespan, approximately 1,200 were built, making it one of the most successful fighter aircraft of all time.

2 – Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

This photo shows a Lockheed SR-2 used for pilot proficiency and training on the ramp at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, just before being delivered to the Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility (later Dryden Flight). This is a front view of 71B. Research Center), located in Edwards, California. Photo courtesy of NASA

The SR-71, known as the “Blackbird,” remains the second fastest jet aircraft in history with a top speed of Mach 3.3. It was developed for high-altitude flight during reconnaissance missions throughout the Cold War era.

The last person to fly the SR-71 was NASA, which used the plane to train pilots for high-speed, high-altitude flights.

1 – NASA X-43

NASA X-43 during testing in March 2004. The aircraft was ejected at an altitude of 29,000 meters. Photo courtesy of NASA

The world’s fastest jet aircraft is NASA’s X-43 experimental aircraft, reaching a speed of Mach 9.6 thanks to its scramjet design.

Although the design of these aircraft required them to descend from a Boeing B-52 in order to fly, they are still very impressive aircraft.

position plane airspeed
10 F-22 Mach 2.25
9 mig-29 Mach 2.3
8 F-14 Mach 2.34
7 mig-23 Mach 2.35
6 Sukhoi Su-27 Mach 2.35
5 F-15 Mach 2.5
4 mig-31 Mach 2.83
3 mig-25 Mach 2.83
2 SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3.3
1 X-43 Mach 9.6

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Newer, more fuel-efficient jets could actually worsen global warming compared to older aircraft

Contrails are clouds formed when water vapor condenses on the soot emitted by jet engines.

Markus Meinka/Alamy stock photo

Planes flying at higher altitudes create longer-lasting vapor trails that could cause more global warming. Because private jets and modern fuel-efficient jetliners fly at higher altitudes than other commercial airliners, these aircraft may be causing even more warming than previously thought.

The findings could help airlines decide which routes to fly to minimise contrails, he said. Edward Gryspeerdt “If we could predict the areas in the atmosphere where contrails will form accurately enough, we could fly planes around them to reduce this effect,” say researchers from Imperial College London.

In some conditions, soot particles emitted by jet engines can spew ice particles in the aircraft's wake, forming clouds called contrails, which contribute to the overall warming effect. It is estimated that half of the warming effect from aviation is due to contrails, rather than carbon dioxide emissions.

How long a contrail lasts determines how much warming it causes, but persistence is difficult to study. Gryspeerdt and his team combined flight data and satellite observations to match contrails to specific aircraft and examine how the type of aircraft is related to persistence.

Previously, studies had been done manually and only on a small scale. But using artificial intelligence, the team was able to analyze 64,000 flights. They found that private jets and other fuel-efficient jetliners, which typically cruise at altitudes of about 12 kilometers (38,000 feet), one kilometer higher than other planes, are more likely to produce longer-lasting contrails. “That was unexpected,” Grys-Pierto says.

Not all soot particles emitted by aircraft turn into ice particles, he said: The team thinks that as planes fly higher, a higher proportion of soot particles become ice seeds, but the overall size of the ice particles gets smaller.

Because the tiny ice particles fall slower, they fall into areas where the air is warmer, where it takes longer for the ice particles to sublimate back into water vapor, meaning the contrails linger longer and cause even more warming.

But the team can't say exactly how much warming contrails cause because the characteristics of high-altitude contrails are slightly different, so it's unclear whether the additional warming caused by contrails lasting longer exceeds the warming avoided by modern planes' lower fuel burn.

What's clear is that the impact of private jets has been underestimated: “The climate impact per passenger is much larger than we thought,” Griespeerdt says.

Because contrails are more visible over oceans and the researchers only had data from a single geostationary satellite, they only looked at flights over the western Atlantic around Bermuda.

Gryspeerdt said the findings may not apply to flights further north, such as over Greenland or Iceland, because the air at high altitudes is drier and contrails are less likely to form.

“This study highlights that high-altitude aircraft have a significant climate impact beyond carbon dioxide, mainly due to the persistent contrails they create,” said Christina Hentz of the European environmental group Transport and Environment.

High altitudes are primarily used for long-distance flights, which are excluded from European Union plans to reduce non-carbon-dioxide warming, and this shows the importance of switching to fuels that produce fewer soot particles, Hentz said.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers find parallel jets and disks around nearby multiple star system

Astronomers Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) Mid-infrared measuring instrument (mm) NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope A twin disk and parallel jets were discovered in the young star system WL20.

Barsoni othersTwin disks and jets erupting from a pair of young stars in WL20. Image credit: NSF / NRAO / B. Saxton / NASA / JPL-Caltech / Harvard-Smithsonian CfA.

WL20 It is located in the Rho Ophiuchus Molecular Cloud Complex, more than 400 light years from Earth.

“What we found was absolutely surprising,” said Dr Mary Barthony, lead author of the study.

“We've known about the WL20 system for some time, but what caught our attention was that one of the stars in the system appeared to be much younger than the others.”

“Using MIRI and ALMA together, we were able to see that this one star is actually two stars next to each other.”

“Each of these stars was surrounded by a disk, and each disk emitted a jet parallel to the others.”

ALMA and Webb's MIRI observe very different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Used together, they allowed astronomers to discover these hidden twins in the stellar system's radio and infrared wavelengths: ALMA found the disk, and MIRI found the jet.

They analyzed archived ALMA data to reveal the composition of the disk, and MIRI data to reveal the chemical composition of the jet.

They also analyzed high-resolution images, revealing the size of the massive disk – about 100 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.

“Without MIRI we would never have known these jets even existed, which is amazing,” Dr Barthony said.

“ALMA's high-resolution observations of the disks surrounding the two newly observed stars reveal the structure of the disks.”

“Someone looking at this ALMA data and not knowing there are twin jets would think it's a big edge-on disk with a hole in the middle, rather than two edge-on disks and two jets. That's pretty remarkable.”

Combining multi-wavelength data from ALMA and Webb revealed the complex processes involved in the formation of several stellar systems.

“We plan to take advantage of ALMA's future upgrades, such as the broadband sensitivity upgrade, to continue unlocking the mysteries surrounding the birth of stars and planetary systems,” the researchers said.

They are, result in 244th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society In Madison, Wisconsin.

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Mary Barthony others2024. Twin jets and twin discs: JWST MIRI and ALMA discoveries in the young WL20 multiple star system. 224 AustraliaAbstract #253

Source: www.sci.news

The 10 Quickest Jets of 2024: The Fastest in the World

Before the movie Top Gun, kids dreamed of being astronauts or sports stars. But after the release of the film, everyone wanted to be pilots in high-tech fighter jets.

Our gallery provides information about the 10 fastest jet planes in the world and their history.

Strap in and get your sick bags ready as we take to the skies to see which jet is the fastest.

10 – F-22 Raptor

An F-22 Raptor flies over Kadena Air Base, Japan on a routine training mission.Photo by Sergeant Major Andy Dunaway/U.S. Air Force

The F-22 Raptor is a single-seat stealth fighter with a top speed of Mach 2.25 and long-range cruise capability. Its stealth capabilities are so advanced that it’s not allowed to be sold outside the United States. Despite its speed and stealth, it has been overshadowed by the F-35 Lightning II jet. Only 187 were built, making it rare to see in the air.

9 – MiG-29 Fulcrum

Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29 with full afterburner.Photo credit: Bangladesh Air Force/Wikipedia

The MiG-29 was built by the Soviet Union and has a top speed of Mach 2.3. Despite its age, it’s still used in many countries around the world.

8 – F-14 Tomcat

An F-14D Tomcat flies over the Persian Gulf region. Photo by Sergeant Rob Tabor/USAF

The F-14 has a top speed of Mach 2.34 and has been in service for over 30 years.

7 – MiG-23 Frogger

An aerial view of a Soviet-era MiG-23 jet in flight.Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

The MiG-23 has a top speed of Mach 2.35 and is known for its agility. Over 5,000 were built and it is still in use today.

6 – Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker

Sukhoi Su-27 demonstrating its capabilities at the MAKS-2005 air show.Photo credit: Dmitry Pichugin/Wikipedia

The Sukhoi Su-27 has a top speed of Mach 2.35 and is known for its excellent range and flight maneuverability. It remains in production more than 40 years after its introduction.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Astrophysicist from Princeton solves the enigma of black hole jets and galactic ‘lightsabers’

Princeton researchers have found that the M87* black hole emits energy outward, contributing to the formation of a giant jet. This discovery challenges traditional views about black holes and may be further tested with advanced telescopes. This new understanding opens up new avenues in comprehending black hole dynamics, though the source of the jet’s power is not definitively explained. This research was conducted with the support of the Princeton Gravity Initiative, a Taplin Fellowship, the National Science Foundation (grant 2307888), and a Simons Foundation Investigator Award.

The findings were published in the Astrophysical Journal on November 14, 2023. The research was spearheaded by Princeton astrophysicists including Andrew Chael, Alexandru Lupsasca, George N. Wong, and Eliot Quataert. With origins in Einstein’s theory of relativity, the researchers made intricate observations involving the black hole and its magnetic field to decipher the direction of energy flow. The researchers found that energy near the event horizon of black hole M87* is pushing outward rather than inward. They also verified the prediction that black holes lose rotational energy.

The researchers have concluded that while it is very likely that the black hole is powering the jet, it cannot be proven conclusively. Furthermore, the team has not conclusively shown that the black hole’s rotation “really powers the extragalactic jet.” Though the energy levels shown in their model were consistent with what a jet would require, they could not rule out the possibility that the jet could be powered by spinning plasma outside the black hole. Nevertheless, it is expected that the next generationEvent Horizon Telescope will further explore and confirm these findings.

The research team was also awarded the 2024 New Horizons Prize in Physics from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation for their black hole research. The research was also supported by a Taplin Fellowship, the National Science Foundation, a Simons Foundation Investigator Award as well as by the Princeton Gravity Initiative.

Source: scitechdaily.com