In a remarkable breakthrough, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory have detected two ultra-fast black hole jets shooting across the universe from 11.6 billion light-years away. These ancient jets, traveling at up to 99% the speed of light, were observed during the universe’s “cosmic noon”—a period around 3 billion years after the Big Bang when galaxies were forming at peak rates.
What Is Cosmic Noon?
Cosmic noon is a pivotal era in the history of the universe, typically defined as 2–4 billion years after the Big Bang. During this time, star formation and galaxy mergers were at their peak. NASA’s new observations from this period are offering fresh insights into how supermassive black holes influenced early galaxy growth.
Chandra and VLA Spot Jets from Quasars
Using Chandra’s X-ray vision and the Very Large Array (VLA), scientists located jets from two distant quasars: J1405+0415 and J1610+1811. These jets were not just moving at relativistic speeds (95%–99% of the speed of light), but they also glowed brighter due to their interaction with the cosmic microwave background (CMB)—the ancient afterglow of the Big Bang.
The electrons in these jets collided with the dense CMB photons, producing detectable X-ray emissions. This process, known as inverse Compton scattering, helped astronomers finally spot these long-elusive phenomena.
Einstein’s Relativity Explains the Glow
Although the jets originated in opposite directions, both appeared unusually bright. According to Einstein’s theory of special relativity, jets pointed slightly toward Earth seem brighter due to relativistic beaming. This effect explains why distant black hole jets can appear more intense than expected, depending on their angle of emission.
Jets From the Edge of Time
What makes this discovery extraordinary is not just the speed of the particles—but also the era from which they originate. At 11.6 billion light-years away, these jets erupted when the universe was still in its infancy. This implies that early supermassive black holes had already developed the ability to generate high-energy outflows capable of shaping the galaxies around them.
Dr. Jaya Maithil from the Centre for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian presented the findings at the 246th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, noting that these jets may hold as much energy as all the interstellar gas in their host galaxies combined.
How Was This Discovery Made?
The team used a statistical technique that factors in relativistic jet angles and brightness patterns. This model helped solve a long-standing challenge in astrophysics: detecting jets that aren’t pointed directly at Earth. By identifying the X-ray glow from jet-CMB interactions and applying relativistic corrections, scientists were able to estimate both speed and angle of the jets (9° and 11°, respectively).
What This Means for Galaxy Evolution
This discovery strengthens the theory that powerful black hole jets play a major role in regulating galaxy formation. As these jets expel gas from galactic centers, they may either suppress or stimulate star formation. Observations like this one reveal just how dynamic and violent early cosmic structures were—and how black holes helped shape the modern universe.
Conclusion
NASA’s Chandra and NRAO’s VLA have opened a new chapter in cosmic archaeology. By peering into the past and catching sight of the universe’s fastest black hole jets during its most active period, scientists are unraveling the mysteries of early galaxy formation. With further study, these ancient phenomena could unlock more secrets about the structure, behavior, and future of our universe.
Looking for more cosmic news? Don’t miss our recent feature on James Webb’s discovery of water clouds on an exoplanet.
