Trending

NGC 1275 black hole flared in X-rays, then fired radio jets about 300 days later

By /

The NGC 1275 black hole at the centre of the Perseus Cluster brightened sharply in X-rays and then appeared to launch a radio flare about 300 days later, a study using NASA’s Swift observatory found, Space.com reported on 12 October.

NGC 1275 black hole: File image: NASA Chandra X-ray view of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster (2017, not from the new study)
File image: NASA Chandra X-ray view of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster (2017, not from the new study) Photo: NASA/CXC/GSFC (public domain).

What Swift saw at the NGC 1275 black hole

Swift recorded X-ray flaring by a factor of about 2 over just days, starting on 21 February 2023, the study in The Astrophysical Journal Letters said. Researchers used 20 years of Swift data and separated the black hole’s light from the hot gas around it.

Key Facts

  • Galaxy: NGC 1275, heart of the Perseus Cluster
  • X-ray flare began: 21 Feb 2023
  • Radio flare: about 300 days later
  • Data span: 20 years of Swift observations

“NGC 1275 reveals the impact of black hole jets on large spatial scales better than any other system.”

— Sarah Ketchum, University of Michigan, to Space.com

Radio jets in the Perseus Cluster

A flare showed up roughly 300 days later in radio data at 43 GHz. That delay may be the time it takes plasma to travel from the base of the jet to a shock where it hits nearby gas, lead author Sarah Ketchum of the University of Michigan told Space.com. The team called the evidence tentative.

Weighing a supermassive black hole

The size of the flaring region helped the team estimate its mass, which Space.com put at up to about 1 billion times that of the Sun. In September 2026, Swift recorded the galaxy’s highest UV and X-ray levels in 20 years, and monitoring continues.

Why It Matters: Linking a black hole's feeding to its jets helps explain how these giants heat gas and shape the growth of whole galaxy clusters.

Also on TrendDesh: Global trade record: world trade hits $35 trillion in 2025, says UNCTAD · Mekong Delta saltwater farming: Vietnam's rice bowl learns to live with the sea

Source: Space.com · The Astrophysical Journal Letters · The Astronomer's Telegram

Share

Today’s News 13 Oct 2026 · 21 stories

  1. INS Mangrol commissioned: Navy gets third indigenous anti-submarine shallow water craft1INS Mangrol commissioned: Navy gets third indigenous anti-submarine shallow water craftOct 13, 2026
  2. Services athletes Asian Games haul: Rajnath Singh honours record 27-medal tally2Services athletes Asian Games haul: Rajnath Singh honours record 27-medal tallyOct 13, 2026
  3. Bharat Rice launched for Army troops as FCI pact strengthens military supply chain3Bharat Rice launched for Army troops as FCI pact strengthens military supply chainOct 13, 2026
  4. IBSAMAR IX 2026: INS Tarkash joins Brazil and South Africa navies for drills4IBSAMAR IX 2026: INS Tarkash joins Brazil and South Africa navies for drillsOct 13, 2026
  5. National SARAS Mela 2026 opens in Vijayawada with 1,500+ rural women entrepreneurs5National SARAS Mela 2026 opens in Vijayawada with 1,500+ rural women entrepreneursOct 13, 2026
  6. Mount Mukut expedition: Coast Guard team scales 7,045-metre peak ahead of Everest bid6Mount Mukut expedition: Coast Guard team scales 7,045-metre peak ahead of Everest bidOct 13, 2026
  7. Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF chief calls for integrated air power at CAPSS seminar7Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF chief calls for integrated air power at CAPSS seminarOct 13, 2026
  8. Rajasthan women constables: 828 recruits pass out at Kishangarh and Silora parades8Rajasthan women constables: 828 recruits pass out at Kishangarh and Silora paradesOct 13, 2026
  9. Nagaur Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana award: Rajasthan district ranks second in India9Nagaur Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana award: Rajasthan district ranks second in IndiaOct 13, 2026
  10. Rajasthan DAP urea stock enough for rabi, says Kirodi Lal Meena; 14 rakes on way10Rajasthan DAP urea stock enough for rabi, says Kirodi Lal Meena; 14 rakes on wayOct 13, 2026
  11. Sahi Khan-Paan Swasth Rajasthan drive: 13 notices, 12 samples in Jaipur checks11Sahi Khan-Paan Swasth Rajasthan drive: 13 notices, 12 samples in Jaipur checksOct 13, 2026
  12. UN pandemic declaration adopted 153-3 as US, Israel, Argentina vote against12UN pandemic declaration adopted 153-3 as US, Israel, Argentina vote againstOct 13, 2026
  13. Multidimensional Poverty Index 2026: poor rise to 1.2 billion, first increase since 201013Multidimensional Poverty Index 2026: poor rise to 1.2 billion, first increase since 2010Oct 13, 2026
  14. UNHCR funding cuts: Barham Salih warns refugee protection is buckling14UNHCR funding cuts: Barham Salih warns refugee protection is bucklingOct 13, 2026
  15. Sudan famine risk grows in Darfur and Kordofan as drought deepens war crisis15Sudan famine risk grows in Darfur and Kordofan as drought deepens war crisisOct 13, 2026
  16. Colombia peace deal under strain as armed groups nearly double, UN tells Security Council16Colombia peace deal under strain as armed groups nearly double, UN tells Security CouncilOct 13, 2026
  17. Syria Security Council briefing: UN and Damascus discuss elections, OPCW progress17Syria Security Council briefing: UN and Damascus discuss elections, OPCW progressOct 13, 2026
  18. Perseverance driving record: NASA rover beats Opportunity with 28.10 miles on Mars18Perseverance driving record: NASA rover beats Opportunity with 28.10 miles on MarsOct 13, 2026
  19. Sophie Adenot back in Europe after record 237-day ISS mission19Sophie Adenot back in Europe after record 237-day ISS missionOct 13, 2026
  20. Ukraine energy ceasefire: Zelensky says Russia hit six energy sites after Trump’s truce20Ukraine energy ceasefire: Zelensky says Russia hit six energy sites after Trump’s truceOct 13, 2026
  21. NGC 1275 black hole flared in X-rays, then fired radio jets about 300 days later21NGC 1275 black hole flared in X-rays, then fired radio jets about 300 days laterOct 13, 2026 · Reading now

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top