{"id":574,"date":"2025-12-17T03:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T02:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/100blogs.ovh\/36\/index.php\/2025\/12\/17\/nasa-ixpes-longest-observation-solves-black-hole-jets-mystery\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T09:30:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T08:30:41","slug":"nasa-ixpes-longest-observation-solves-black-hole-jets-mystery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/100blogs.ovh\/36\/index.php\/2025\/12\/17\/nasa-ixpes-longest-observation-solves-black-hole-jets-mystery\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA IXPE\u2019s Longest Observation Solves Black Hole Jets Mystery"},"content":{"rendered":"
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4 min read<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Two composite images show side-by-side observations of the Perseus Cluster from NASA\u2019s IXPE (Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer) and Chandra X-ray Observatory. Scientists used data from both observatories, along with data from Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, to confirm measurements of the galaxy cluster.<\/div>\n
X-ray: (Chandra) NASA\/CXC\/SAO, (IXPE) NASA\/MSFC; Image Processing: NASA\/CXC\/SAO\/N. Wolk and K. Arcand<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Written by Michael Allen<\/em><\/p>\n

An international team of astronomers using NASA\u2019s IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) has identified the origin of X-rays in a supermassive black hole\u2019s jet, answering a question that has been unresolved since the earliest days of X-ray astronomy. Their findings are described in a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, by the American Astronomical Society, Nov. 11.<\/p>\n

The IXPE mission observed the Perseus Cluster, the brightest galaxy cluster i observable in X-rays, for more than 600 hours over a 60-day period between January and March. Not only is this IXPE\u2019s longest observation of a single target to date, it also marks IXPE\u2019s first time observing a galaxy cluster.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the team of scientists studied the polarization properties of 3C 84, the massive active galaxy located at the very center of the Perseus Cluster. This active galaxy is a well-known X-ray source and a common target for X-ray astronomers because of its proximity and brightness.<\/p>\n

Because the Perseus Cluster is so massive, it hosts an enormous reservoir of X-ray emitting gas as hot as the core of the Sun. The use of multiple X-ray telescopes, particularly the high-resolution imaging power of NASA\u2019s Chandra X-ray Observatory was essential to disentangle the signals in the IXPE data. Scientists combined these X-ray measurements with data from the agency\u2019s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.<\/p>\n

Fast facts<\/strong><\/h2>\n