Brief
Study links supermassive black‑hole jets to reduced star formation in galaxies
Research led by Arizona State and Raman Research Institute suggests black‑hole jets disrupt the gas reservoir that fuels star birth.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Scientists report that narrow jets of extremely hot plasma emitted by supermassive black holes can disturb the circumgalactic medium (CGM) surrounding galaxies, potentially limiting the formation of new stars.
What happened
The study, published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, examined how jets from active black holes interact with the CGM, a reservoir of cold, dense gas extending 10‑20 times beyond a galaxy’s visible edge. By heating and stirring this gas, the jets may prevent it from cooling and collapsing into star‑forming clouds.
What the reports add
ScienceDaily highlighted that the research was led by Sanchayeeta Borthakur of Arizona State University and Namrata Roy of the Raman Research Institute. The article notes that the jets’ influence reaches far beyond the galaxy’s core, a scale previously difficult to observe.
What was said
"This is a path‑breaking result that solves the long‑standing mystery of how black holes influence galaxies, their stars, and life as we know it!" Borthakur told ScienceDaily. Roy added, "The surprising question is: how can something so small energetically impact something so enormous?"
How it came about
The findings build on earlier Felo News coverage of black‑hole dynamics, including the September 20 article on the fastest star in the Milky Way that explored black‑hole spin effects. Both pieces underscore growing evidence that supermassive black holes play a decisive role in galactic evolution.
Key facts
- Narrow jets from supermassive black holes can heat the circumgalactic medium, inhibiting star formation. (sciencedaily.com)
- The study was led by Sanchayeeta Borthakur (Arizona State University) and Namrata Roy (Raman Research Institute). (sciencedaily.com)
- Results were published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. (sciencedaily.com)
Sources
- [1] sciencedaily.com — originally reported as “Black hole jets may decide the fate of entire galaxies”
