Astronomers have made a revolutionary finding with the observation of a colossal black hole jet, Quasar J1601+3102, which is three times the size of the Milky Way. Detected with the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), this jet stretches almost 200,000 light-years, making it the largest black hole jet ever found. The jet’s vast size and its estimated age of 1.2 billion years offer profound insights into the early universe. The black hole tied to this quasar is thought to possess a mass of at least 450 million suns. This finding bolsters theories regarding the influence of black holes on the expansion of the universe, as it suggests that the black hole has been actively releasing energy and material since the universe’s formative years.
The LOFAR system, consisting of more than 50 interconnected stations throughout Europe, has played a crucial role in this discovery. It enables astronomers to study both bright and low-frequency aspects of the jet, resulting in a deeper understanding of its structure and origins. Initially, the southern part of the jet was believed to be separate, but LOFAR’s advanced capabilities allowed researchers to connect the entire length of the jet.
Notably, despite the jet’s enormous size, the black hole itself is relatively small in comparison to other known quasar sources. This indicates the likelihood of other similar quasars residing in the universe, though detecting them is difficult due to the brightness of the cosmic microwave background from earlier epochs.
This discovery enhances our comprehension of how black holes affect the galaxies they inhabit. While astronomers have observed black holes producing jets and even escaping black holes, Quasar J1601+3102 presents a distinctive opportunity to examine the influence of black holes on galactic formations.
