M87* and Sgr A* Side-by-Side in Polarized Light (IMAGE)

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

M87* and Sgr A* Side-by-Side in Polarized Light

Caption

Seen here in polarized light, this side-by-side image of the supermassive black holes M87* and Sagittarius A* indicates to scientists that these beasts have similar magnetic field structures. This is significant because it suggests that the physical processes that govern how a black hole feeds and launches a jet may be universal features amongst supermassive black holes.

Credit

EHT Collaboration

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Credit must be given to the creator.

License

CC BY

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