An international team of astronomers has captured unprecedented views of the supermassive black hole at M87's galactic core, exposing dramatic changes in its magnetic environment that could reshape our understanding of cosmic energy dynamics. The findings, published today in Astronomy & Astrophysics, stem from coordinated observations by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration involving researchers from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.
A Cosmic Time-Lapse
By comparing data from 2017, 2018, and 2021 observations, scientists observed magnetic field patterns around the black hole's event horizon reversing direction – a phenomenon likened to a celestial wardrobe change. These fluctuations suggest highly turbulent conditions where magnetic forces dictate how matter spirals into oblivion and energy jets escape at near-light speeds.
Jets: Cosmic Regulators
The study also revealed new details about M87's 5,000-light-year-long jet stream, showing how its base interacts with the black hole's accretion ring. Such jets influence star formation across galaxies by redistributing energy – making this discovery crucial for astrophysicists modeling universal evolution.
Global Collaboration, Local Impact
Chinese researchers played a key role in analyzing polarization patterns through advanced algorithms. Their contributions highlight growing Asian leadership in cutting-edge astronomy, with implications for both theoretical physics and practical technologies like high-precision imaging systems.
