Simulation of a galaxy’s ‘heart and lungs’ at work (VIDEO)

Royal Astronomical Society

Caption

This clip shows a supersonic jet generating a “bellows-like action”, by receiving pulses from its black hole "heart", causing it to expand and contract “like an air-filled lung”, “breathing out warm air” (pressure ripples) into its surroundings. The graph axes are non-dimensional distance scales.

Credit

Credit: C Richards/MD Smith/University of Kent

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.