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

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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Animation of fly-in to AGN cross-section showing the flare sequence happening twice.

Animation of flare sequence happening twice, as viewed from slightly above the plane of the accretion disk.

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 flare 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.