Discovery of the First Microblazar in the Milky Way
Astronomers have identified the first microblazar within the Milky Way, named IRAS 18293−0941, located approximately 12,000 light-years away. This stellar system features a stellar-mass black hole that consumes material from a massive companion star, resulting in twin jets of plasma ejected at speeds close to that of light.
What is a Microblazar?
- Microblazar: Consists of a smaller black hole (up to a few hundred solar masses) with jets of material.
- Blazar: Involves a supermassive black hole (millions to billions of solar masses) that generates jets directed at Earth.
Despite being theorized for three decades, microblazars like IRAS 18293−0941 had eluded discovery until now due to obscuration by interstellar gas and dust.
The Discovery Process
The first clue to the existence of IRAS 18293−0941 came from flickering light from its companion star, revealing its 11.4-day orbit. Subsequent radio wave observations detected one of the jets being emitted from the system, confirming its activity.
High-resolution capabilities of the European VLBI Network (EVN) allowed researchers to solve the mystery of the jets, confirming their association with IRAS 18293−0941.
Key Findings
- The jets create a bubble in interstellar gas, observable through the MeerKAT radio observatory, leading to a “hotspot” where energized particles and glowing hydrogen gas interact.
- This system generates high-energy gamma-rays, surpassing those from particle collisions at the Large Hadron Collider.
Implications of the Discovery
The discovery of a microblazar close to Earth provides invaluable insights into the dynamics of black holes and their effects on surrounding galaxies. Research findings are set to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
This breakthrough enhances our understanding of cosmic particle acceleration and the relationship between black holes and their stellar environments.
