Black Hole Fires at Neighboring Galaxy 83
StarCraft 2 writes "This composite image shows the jet from a black hole at the center of a galaxy striking the edge of another galaxy, the first time such an interaction has been found. In the image, it is clearly seen how the jet from the main galaxy on the lower left is striking its companion galaxy to the upper right. The jet impacts the companion galaxy at its edge and is then disrupted and deflected, much like how a stream of water from a hose will splay out after hitting a wall at an angle.
The composite image was made by combining data from Chandra, Hubble and several other systems."
It's scary... (Score:4, Interesting)
On the other hand: I'd imagine it's terribly useful to see what a galaxy does to such an emission. It's got to tell us a lot about things like the real density of the glactic body, and to what extent, if any, a galaxy clears space around it.
'Death Star' galaxy (Score:4, Interesting)
Anyway, the galaxies have many awesome processes -- nebulas, supernovae, supermassive blackholes and that strange darkmatter 'void' -- some that we can, perhaps, take advantage of.
Re:It's scary... (Score:3, Interesting)
I think your chances of dying from cancer, heart disease, auto accident, industrial accident, old age or even 'teh terrists' (unlikely as dying from a terrorist attack is) ar far, far greater than dying from some extraterrestrial phenomenon.
But no matter how you're going to die, you're going to die. There's no point in fearing the inevitable. We are all under a sentence of death. Enjoy your time in this universe while you're still here to do so.
-mcgrew
I've always wondered... (Score:2, Interesting)
I have no formal education in this stuff nor have I even bothered to read a book, but I'm full of poorly educated gut feelings on the matter!