Supermassive black holes, the behemoths residing at the hearts of galaxies, are known for their insatiable appetites. New research reveals a fascinating mechanism by which these cosmic giants actively regulate their food supply, essentially "cooking" their own meals.
A team led by Valeria Olivares, an astrophysicist at the University of Santiago in Chile, studied seven galaxy clusters, including the Perseus Cluster, one of the most massive structures in the universe. Using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Very Large Telescope, they observed neon-pink filaments of warm gas flowing between galaxies, sculpted by the energetic jets emitted from the black holes.
These filaments, the researchers suggest, play a crucial role in sustaining the black holes' feeding cycle. The jets interact with the hot gas in intergalactic space, cooling it and shaping it into these filaments. These filaments then funnel some of the warm gas back towards the centers of galaxies, providing fuel for the black holes and driving further jet outbursts.
This perpetual cycle, a delicate feedback loop, ensures a constant supply of food for the black holes, allowing them to grow and sustain their activity. The process also creates cavities in intergalactic space, setting the stage for the formation of new stars.