X-ray 'Echoes' Probe Habitat
of Monster Black Hole

  • Released Thursday, May 31, 2012
  • Updated Friday, October 9, 2015 at 1:27PM
  • ID: 10942

Astronomers using data from the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton satellite have found a long-sought X-ray signal from NGC 4151, a galaxy that contains a supermassive black hole. The discovery promises a new way to unravel what's happening in the neighborhood of these powerful objects.

Astronomers using data from the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton satellite have found a long-sought X-ray signal from NGC 4151, a galaxy that contains a supermassive black hole. When the black hole's X-ray source flares, its accretion disk reflects the emission about half an hour later. The discovery promises a new way to unravel what's happening in the neighborhood of these powerful objects.

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The galaxy NGC 4151 is located about 45 million light-years away toward the constellation Canes Venatici. Activity powered by its central black hole make it one of the brightest active galaxies in X-rays. <p><p>Credit: David W. Hogg, Michael R. Blanton, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Collaboration

The galaxy NGC 4151 is located about 45 million light-years away toward the constellation Canes Venatici. Activity powered by its central black hole make it one of the brightest active galaxies in X-rays.

Credit: David W. Hogg, Michael R. Blanton, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Collaboration

Cut-away view of AGN with solar system overlayed to scale.

Cut-away view of AGN with solar system overlayed to scale.

Cut-away view of AGN flare with solar system overlayed to scale.

Cut-away view of AGN flare with solar system overlayed to scale.

Tilted cut-away view of AGN with solar system overlayed to scale.

Tilted cut-away view of AGN with solar system overlayed to scale.

Titled cut-away view of AGN flare with solar system overlayed to scale.

Titled cut-away view of AGN flare with solar system overlayed to scale.



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NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. However, individual images should be credited as indicated above.


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