NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing how X-rays are produced in the jets of supermassive black holes. This finding solves a 30-year-old mystery and enhances our understanding of these cosmic phenomena.
🔍 The Discovery: Electrons and Compton Scattering
For decades, scientists have debated the mechanism behind X-ray emissions in black hole jets. Recent observations by IXPE have confirmed that electrons, rather than protons, are responsible for this radiation. These high-energy electrons interact with lower-energy photons through a process known as Compton scattering, boosting the photons to X-ray energies. Daily Galaxy
This discovery was made while studying the blazar BL Lacertae, a type of galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its center emitting jets directed toward Earth. The polarization measurements from IXPE provided crucial evidence supporting the role of electrons in X-ray production.NASA
🛰️ About IXPE
Launched in December 2021, IXPE is a collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency. It specializes in measuring the polarization of X-rays from cosmic sources, offering insights into the geometry and behavior of high-energy environments like black hole jets.
🌌 Implications for Astrophysics
Understanding the source of X-ray emissions in black hole jets is vital for comprehending the physics of these extreme environments. This knowledge aids in constructing accurate models of jet formation and energy distribution, which are essential for studying galaxy evolution and the role of black holes in the cosmos.
