NASA Reveals Black Hole Fireworks Spark in Nearby Galaxy

Dazzling lights and booming shockwaves may be the order for this Fourth of July weekend, but these spectacular sights may not just be occurring here on Earth. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has spotted a similar event taking place in the galaxy Messier 106.

The new image, as seen by Spitzer, the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Herschel Space Observatory, reveal energetic jets which blast from Messier 106's central black hole. These jets heat up the material in the galaxy and cause it to look-rather like the ingredients in fireworks. The jets also power shock waves that drive the gases out of the galaxy's interior.

These gases aren't just useful for the galaxy, though; they're the building blocks that are used to create new stars. A new study estimates that the shock waves in the galaxy have already warmed and ejected about two-thirds of the gas from Messier 106's center. With the inability to produce new stars, it's likely that Messier 106 will eventually transition to a barren lenticular galaxy full of old red stars.

"Jets from the supermassive black hole at the center of Messier 106 are having a profound influence on the available gas for making stars in the galaxy," said Patrick Ogle, one of the researchers, in a news release. "This process may eventually transform the spiral galaxy Messier 106 into a lenticular galaxy, depriving it of the raw material to form stars."

The findings, in particular, reveal that these black hole jets are crucial when it comes to the evolution of galaxies. By studying Messier 106, scientists can draw conclusions about other galaxies, as well. This is important when it comes to studying future objects in space and could tell scientists a bit more about the supermassive black holes that can be found at the center of galaxies.