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4C41.17 and 3C294:
New View of Biggest Construction Sites in Universe
Chandra's images of two distant massive galaxies show that they are
enveloped by vast clouds of high-energy particles that are evidence for
past explosive activity. In both galaxies radio and X-ray jets allow
this activity to be traced back to central supermassive black holes. The
jets are heating gas outside the galaxies in regions hundreds of
thousands of light years across.
The Chandra data will help scientists understand how nature imposes a
weight limit on the growth of the most massive galaxies in the universe.
These galaxies reside in regions of space that contain an unusually
large concentration of galaxies, gas and dark matter.
A massive galaxy and its central black hole grow through cannibalization
of nearby galaxies and through accumulation of gas from intergalactic
space. Eventually however, the infall of matter into the central
supermassive black hole will produce an energetic jet, which will heat
the surrounding gas and stop the growth of the galaxy at a few dozen
times the mass of our Galaxy.
Another implication of this research is that a massive galaxy does not
grow steadily, but in fits and starts. In the beginning of a growth
cycle, the galaxy and its central black hole are accumulating matter.
The energy generated by the jets that accompany the growth of the
supermassive black hole eventually brings the infall of matter and the
growth of the galaxy to a halt. The activity around the central black
hole then ceases because of the lack of a steady supply of matter, and
the jets disappear. Millions of years later the hot gas around the
galaxy cools and resumes falling into the galaxy, initiating a new
season of growth.
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Fast Facts for 4C41.17:
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Credit
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NASA/CXC/Columbia/C.Scharf et al.
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Scale
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Image is 60 arcsec on a side.
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Category
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Quasars & Active Galaxies
Groups and Clusters of Galaxies |
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Coordinates
(J2000)
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RA 06h 50m 52.10s | Dec +41º 30' 30.80"
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Constellation
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Aurigae
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Observation
Date
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September 25, 2002
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Observation
Time
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37.5 hours
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Obs.
ID
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3208, 4379
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Color
Code
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Intensity
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Instrument
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ACIS
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Distance
Estimate
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12 billion light years (redshift = 3.8)
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Fast Facts for 3C294:
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Credit
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NASA/CXC/IoA/A.Fabian et al.
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Scale
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Image is 50 arcsec on a side.
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Category
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Quasars & Active Galaxies
Groups and Clusters of Galaxies |
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Coordinates
(J2000)
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RA 14h 06m 44.10s | Dec +34º 11' 24.80"
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Constellation
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Bootes
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Observation
Date
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February 25 & 27, 2002
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Observation
Time
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53.3 hours
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Obs.
ID
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3207, 3445
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Color
Code
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Intensity
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Instrument
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ACIS
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Distance
Estimate
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10 billion light years (redshift = 1.78)
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